JP7785666B2 - Vaporizer Devices Microfluidic Systems and Apparatus - Google Patents

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/915,005, entitled "CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPORIZER DEVICE," filed October 14, 2019, and also claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 16/656,360, entitled "CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPORIZER DEVICE," filed October 17, 2019, the entirety of each of which is incorporated by reference herein to the extent permitted.

TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosed subject matter relates generally to the mechanics of cartridges for vaporizers and, in some instances, to the management of liquid vaporizable material to prevent leakage.

BACKGROUND Vaporizer devices, generally referred to herein as vaporizers, include devices that heat a vaporizable material (e.g., liquids, plant materials, other solids, waxes, etc.) to a temperature sufficient to release one or more compounds from the vaporizable material in a form (e.g., gas, aerosol, etc.) that can be inhaled by a user of the vaporizer. Some vaporizers, such as those in which at least one of the compounds released from the vaporizable material is nicotine, can be useful as an alternative to smoking combustible tobacco.

SUMMARY For purposes of summary, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described herein. It is to be understood that not all such advantages will be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without achieving all of the advantages that may be taught or suggested herein. The various features and items described herein may be combined together or separated, except where not practicable based on the present disclosure and what one skilled in the art would understand therefrom.

In one aspect, a vaporizer includes a reservoir configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material. The reservoir is at least partially defined by at least one wall, and the reservoir includes a storage chamber and an overflow volume. The vaporizer further includes a collector disposed within the overflow volume. The collector includes a capillary structure configured to hold a volume of the liquid vaporizable material in fluid communication with the storage chamber. The capillary structure includes a microfluidic feature configured to prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and draining of the collector.

In a related aspect that may be included in the vaporizer of the aforementioned aspect, a microfluidic gate for controlling the flow of liquid vaporizable material between a reservoir chamber and an adjacent overflow volume within the vaporizer includes a plurality of openings connecting the reservoir chamber and a collector and a pinch-off point between the plurality of openings. The microfluidic gate includes a single capillary-driven channel. In other embodiments, the microfluidic gate includes a plurality of capillary-driven channels. Optionally, the microfluidic gate may include an opening edge between the reservoir chamber and the collector, where a first side facing the reservoir chamber is flatter than a second, more rounded side facing the collector.

The microfluidic gate can provide pressure equalization between the reservoir and ambient conditions. The microfluidic gate includes a first capillary channel fluidly connected to a vent, a second capillary channel fluidly connected to the reservoir, and a high drive channel including an upper wall and a lower wall. The capillary drive channel originates at a third constriction point and diverges outward between the upper wall and the lower wall toward the first capillary channel and the second capillary channel.

In one implementation, a vaporizer cartridge including a microfluidic pressure equalization device is provided. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing including a reservoir configured to hold a vaporizable liquid, a first capillary channel fluidly connected to a vent, and a second capillary channel fluidly connected to the reservoir. A high drive channel is provided at a third constriction point fluidly connected to the reservoir. The high drive channel originates at the third constriction point and extends outward toward the first and second capillary channels. The high drive channel is configured to fluidically seal the first and second capillary channels after a pressure equalization event that releases gas bubbles into the reservoir.

In another related aspect that can be incorporated into other aspects, a collector configured for insertion into a vaporizer cartridge includes a capillary structure configured to hold a volume of vaporizable material in liquid form in fluid communication with a reservoir of the vaporizer cartridge. The capillary structure includes microfluidic features configured to prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and draining of the collector.

In optional variations, one or more of the following features may be included in any workable combination. For example, a primary passage may be included to provide a fluid connection between the storage chamber and an atomizer configured to convert the liquid vaporizable material to a gaseous state. The primary passage may be formed through the structure of the collector.

The primary passageway may include a first channel configured to allow liquid vaporizable material to flow from the reservoir toward the wicking element of the atomizer. The first channel may have a cross-sectional shape with at least one irregularity configured to allow liquid in the first channel to bypass an air bubble blocking the remainder of the first channel. The cross-sectional shape may resemble a cross. The capillary structure may include a secondary passageway including a microfluidic feature configured to allow the liquid vaporizable material to travel along the length of the secondary passageway with only a meniscus completely covering the cross-sectional area of the secondary passageway. The cross-sectional area may be sufficiently small, for the material forming the walls of the secondary passageway and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material, that the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passageway around its entire circumference.

The storage chamber and collector may be configured to maintain a continuous column of liquid vaporizable material in the collector in contact with the liquid vaporizable material in the storage chamber, such that a reduction in pressure in the storage chamber relative to ambient pressure causes the continuous column of liquid vaporizable material in the collector to be at least partially drawn back into the storage chamber. The secondary passage may include a plurality of spaced constriction points having a smaller cross-sectional area than the portion of the secondary passage between the constriction points. The constriction points may have flatter surfaces oriented along the secondary passage toward the storage compartment and more rounded surfaces oriented along the secondary passage away from the storage compartment.

A microfluidic gate may be positioned between the collector and the reservoir of the vaporizer cartridge. The microfluidic gate may include an opening edge between the reservoir and the collector, with a first side facing the reservoir being flatter than a second, more rounded side facing the collector. The microfluidic gate may include multiple openings connecting the reservoir and the collector and a pinch-off point between the multiple openings. The multiple openings may include a single elevated capillary-driven channel. A meniscus of the gas-liquid vaporizable material reaching the pinch-off point may be directed into a second channel by the elevated capillary drive of the first channel, such that a gas bubble forms and escapes into the liquid vaporizable material in the reservoir.

The liquid vaporizable material may include one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. The liquid vaporizable material may also include nicotine or a salt thereof.

The collector may include a primary passageway providing fluid communication between the reservoir and an atomizer configured to convert the liquid vaporizable material to a gaseous state, the primary passageway being formed through the structure of the collector. In an optional variation, the capillary structure may include a secondary passageway with a microfluidic mechanism configured to allow the liquid vaporizable material to move along the length of the secondary passageway with only a meniscus completely covering the cross-sectional area of the secondary passageway. The cross-sectional area may be sufficiently small, for the material forming the walls of the secondary passageway and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material, that the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passageway around its entire periphery. The reservoir and collector may be configured to maintain a continuous column of liquid vaporizable material in the collector in contact with the liquid vaporizable material in the reservoir, such that a reduction in pressure in the reservoirway relative to ambient pressure draws the continuous column of liquid vaporizable material in the collectorway at least partially back into the reservoirway. The secondary passage may include a plurality of spaced constriction points having a smaller cross-sectional area than the portions of the secondary passage between the constriction points. The constriction points may have flatter surfaces facing along the secondary passage toward the reservoir and more rounded surfaces facing along the secondary passage away from the reservoir.

In yet another related aspect, a vaporizer cartridge includes a cartridge housing; a reservoir disposed within the cartridge housing and configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material; an inlet configured to allow air to enter an internal airflow path within the cartridge housing; an atomizer configured to convert at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material to an inhalable state; and a collector as described in the previous aspect.

In optional variations, such a vaporizer cartridge may include one or more features described herein, such as, for example, a wicking element positioned within the internal airflow path and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The wicking element may be configured to draw the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir under capillary action. The heating element may be positioned to cause heating of the wicking element to convert at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir to a gaseous state. The inhalable state may include an aerosol formed by condensing at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material from the gaseous state. The cartridge housing may include a monolithic hollow structure having an open first end and a second end opposite the first end. The collector may be insertably received within the first end of the monolithic hollow structure.

In yet another related aspect, a reservoir for a cartridge usable in a vaporizer device is provided. In one embodiment, the reservoir includes a storage chamber (e.g., a reservoir) for storing a vaporizable material and an overflow volume separable from the storage chamber and in communication with the storage chamber via a vent leading to a passageway in the overflow volume.

The passageway of the overflow volume may lead to a port connected to ambient air. The storage chamber or reservoir may include a first wick supply and, optionally, a second wick supply implemented in the form of a first cavity and a second cavity, respectively, passing through a collector disposed within the cartridge. The collector may include one or more support structures that form the passageway of the overflow volume. The first and second cavities may control the flow of vaporizable material toward a wick housing configured to receive a wicking element.

The wicking element positioned in the wick housing or wicking element housing may be configured to absorb vaporizable material traveling through the first and second wick supplies such that, upon thermal interaction with the atomizer, the vaporizable material absorbed in the wicking element is converted to at least one of a vapor or an aerosol and flows through an exit tunnel structure formed through the collector and the storage chamber to reach the opening in the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may be formed proximate to the storage chamber.

The collector may have a first end and a second end. The first end may be coupled to an opening in the mouthpiece, and a second end opposite the first end may be configured to house a wick or wicking element. A wick housing according to certain embodiments may include a set of prongs projecting outward from the second end for at least partially receiving the wicking element, and one or more compression ribs positioned near the first or second wick supply and extending from the second end of the collector for compressing the wicking element.

In yet another related aspect, a vent may be provided to maintain an equilibrium pressure condition in the reservoir chamber of the cartridge and prevent the pressure in the reservoir chamber from increasing to the point where the vaporizable material overflows the wick housing. The equilibrium pressure condition may be maintained by establishing a liquid seal at the opening of the vent located at the point where the reservoir chamber communicates with a passageway in the overflow volume of the cartridge. A liquid seal is established and maintained at the vent by maintaining sufficient capillary pressure to form a meniscus of vaporizable material in the portion of the vent that communicates with the passageway in the overflow volume.

In embodiments having multiple capillary actuation channels, the capillary pressure of the meniscus of vaporizable material is controlled, for example, by a vent structure forming the primary or secondary channel that effectively constitutes a fluid valve for controlling at least the pinch-off point of one of the primary or secondary channels. Depending on the implementation, the primary and secondary channels may have a tapered shape such that as the meniscus continues to recede, the capillary actuation of the primary channel decreases more than the capillary actuation of the secondary channel. The gradual decrease in capillary actuation of the primary and secondary channels reduces the partial headspace vacuum maintained within the reservoir chamber.

In embodiments having a single capillary actuation channel, the capillary pressure of the vaporizable material meniscus may be controlled by a vent orifice in fluid communication with the single channel, effectively forming a microfluidic gate, for example, to control at least the pinch-off point at one end of the single channel. In some implementations, the single channel may have a tapered shape such that as the meniscus continues to recede, the capillary actuation of the primary channel decreases at a greater rate than the capillary actuation of the secondary channel. The gradual decrease in capillary actuation of the primary and secondary channels reduces the partial headspace vacuum maintained within the reservoir chamber.

In yet another related aspect, the capillary drive of the primary and secondary channels gradually decreases relative to one another, resulting in the primary channel's discharge pressure falling below the secondary channel's discharge pressure. The primary channel's meniscus continues to discharge as the primary channel's discharge pressure changes, while the secondary channel's meniscus remains stationary. The discharge pressure associated with the primary channel's receding contact angle is lower than the flooding pressure associated with the secondary channel's advancing contact angle, which may result in the primary and secondary channels filling with vaporizable material.

Thus, in response to an increase in pressure conditions within the reservoir chamber, vaporizable material flows through the vent into the collector passage (i.e., the overflow volume), and the vent is configured to maintain a liquid seal at the pinch-off point, desirably at all times. In certain embodiments, the vent is configured to promote a liquid seal at the opening through which vaporizable material flows between the reservoir chamber and the collector passage in the overflow volume.

In yet another related aspect, one or more wick supply channels can be implemented to control the direct flow of vaporizable material toward the wick. The first wick supply channel may be formed through a collector positioned within the overflow volume and may be independent of the primary and secondary channels of the control valve described above. The collector may include a support structure that forms the first channel or additional wick supply channels. The wick may be positioned within the wick housing such that the wick is configured to absorb vaporizable material traveling through the first channel. Depending on the implementation, the first channel may have a cross-shaped cross section or may have a partial partition. The shape of the first channel may provide one or more non-primary subchannels and one or more primary subchannels that are larger in diameter compared to the non-primary subchannels.

Depending on the implementation, if a primary subchannel or a non-primary subchannel becomes restricted or blocked (e.g., due to the formation of a gas bubble), vaporizable material may flow through an alternate subchannel or the primary channel. In a cross-shaped wick feed, the primary subchannel may extend through the center of the cross-shaped wick feed. If the primary subchannel becomes restricted due to the formation of a gas bubble in a portion of the primary subchannel, vaporizable material will flow through at least one of the non-primary subchannels.

In some embodiments, the collector has a first end facing the storage chamber and a second end facing away from the storage chamber and configured to contain the wick housing. The second wick supply may be implemented in the form of a second channel that allows vaporizable material stored in the storage chamber to flow toward the wick while vaporizable material flows through the first wick supply. The second wick supply may have a cross-shaped cross section.

According to one or more aspects, a reservoir for a cartridge usable in a vaporizer device may include a storage chamber configured to contain a vaporizable material. The reservoir may be in operative relationship with an atomizer configured to convert the vaporizable material from a liquid phase to a vapor or aerosol phase for inhalation by a user of the vaporizer device. The cartridge may also include an overflow volume for retaining at least a portion of the vaporizable material, for example, if one or more factors cause the vaporizable material in the reservoir chamber to move into an overflow volume in the cartridge.

One or more factors may include the cartridge being exposed to a pressure state different from the previous ambient pressure state (e.g., by transitioning from a first pressure state to a second pressure state). In some embodiments, the overflow volume may include an opening to the exterior of the cartridge (i.e., ambient air) or a passageway connecting to an air control port. The passageway in the overflow volume may be in communication with the reservoir chamber to function as a vent to allow equalization of pressure within the reservoir chamber. In response to a negative pressure event in the cartridge environment, vaporizable material may be drawn from the reservoir chamber into the atomizer and converted to a gas or aerosol phase, reducing the volume of vaporizable material remaining in the reservoir chamber.

The reservoir chamber may be connected to the overflow volume by, for example, one or more openings between the reservoir chamber and the overflow volume, such that the one or more openings lead to one or more passages through the overflow volume. The flow of vaporizable material through the openings and into the passages may be controllable by capillary properties of fluid vents leading to the one or more passages or by capillary properties of the passages themselves. Furthermore, the flow of vaporizable material into the one or more passages may be reversible, allowing the vaporizable material to be displaced from the overflow volume back to the reservoir chamber.

In at least one embodiment, the flow of vaporizable material can be reversed in response to a change in pressure condition (e.g., when a second pressure condition within the cartridge returns to the first pressure condition). The second pressure condition can be associated with a negative pressure event. A negative pressure event can be the result of a decrease in ambient pressure relative to the ambient pressure of one or more volumes of air held within a reservoir chamber or other portion of the cartridge. Alternatively, a negative pressure event can result from compression of the internal volume of the cartridge due to mechanical pressure on one or more exterior surfaces of the cartridge.

The heating element may include a heating portion. The heating portion may be pre-formed to define an interior volume configured to receive the wicking element such that the heating portion secures at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating element. The heating portion may be configured to contact at least two distinct surfaces of the wicking element. Power is configured to be supplied from a power source to the heating portion to generate heat, thereby vaporizing a vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.

In some implementations, the vaporizer device further includes a heat shield configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element and to insulate the heating portion from the wicking element and a main body of the wick housing configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element. In some implementations, the heat shield is folded between the heating portion and the at least two legs to insulate the heating portion from the at least two legs.

In some implementations, the vaporizer device includes a reservoir containing a vaporizable material, a wicking element in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a heating element. The heating element includes a heating portion. The heating portion may be pre-formed to define an interior volume configured to receive the wicking element such that the heating portion secures at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating element. The heating portion may be configured to contact at least two distinct surfaces of the wicking element. Power is configured to be supplied from a power source to the heating portion to generate heat, thereby vaporizing the vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.

In some variations, one or more of the following features may optionally be included in the viable combination:

An aspect of the present subject matter relates to a cartridge for a vaporizer device. The cartridge may include a reservoir including a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material within the reservoir chamber. The cartridge may include a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir and a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber into the vaporization chamber for vaporization by a heating element. The cartridge may include an airflow passage extending through the vaporization chamber. The cartridge may include at least one capillary channel adjacent to the airflow passage. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first location to a second location by capillary action.

In one aspect consistent with the present disclosure, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be tapered in size. The tapered size may increase capillary drive through each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be defined by an upper wall and a lower wall. The at least one capillary channel may be in fluid communication with the wick. The first location may be adjacent an end of the airflow passage and the mouthpiece. The at least one capillary channel may collect fluid condensate.

In a related aspect, the vaporizer device may include a vaporizer body including a heating element configured to heat a vaporizable material. The vaporizer device may include a cartridge configured to be removably coupled to the vaporizer body. The cartridge may include a reservoir including a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material within the reservoir chamber. The cartridge may include a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir and may include a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber into the vaporization chamber for vaporization by the heating element. The cartridge may include an airflow passage extending through the vaporization chamber. The cartridge may include at least one capillary channel adjacent to the airflow passage. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first location to a second location by capillary action.

Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be tapered in size. The tapered size may increase capillary drive through each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be defined by an upper wall and a lower wall. The at least one capillary channel may be in fluid communication with the wick. The first location may be adjacent to an end of the airflow passage and the mouthpiece. The at least one capillary channel may collect fluid condensate.

Details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. However, the disclosed subject matter is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, serve to explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed implementations provided below.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary vaporizer device, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary vaporizer body and insertable vaporizer cartridge according to one or more implementations. 2B shows a perspective view of the vaporizer device of FIG. 2A according to one or more implementations. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 2A according to one or more implementations. 2D illustrates another perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 2C according to one or more implementations. 1 shows a diagram of a reservoir system configured for a vaporizer cartridge and/or vaporizer device to improve airflow within the vaporizer device, according to one or more implementations. 1 shows a diagram of a reservoir system configured for a vaporizer cartridge or vaporizer device to improve airflow within the vaporizer device, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional plan view of a cartridge having a reservoir and an overflow volume, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional plan view of a cartridge having a reservoir and an overflow volume, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of an exemplary cartridge structural component with a flow management collector having one or more flow channels, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary cartridge structural component with a flow management collector having one or more flow channels, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary cartridge structural component with a flow management collector having one or more flow channels, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a side plan view of an exemplary single-vent, single-channel collector structure, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 5B is a side plan view of an exemplary cartridge with a translucent housing structure including an exemplary collector as shown in FIG. 5A, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C show perspective and plan side views of an exemplary collector structure incorporating flow management constrictions within the flow channels, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C show perspective and plan side views of an exemplary collector structure incorporating flow management constrictions within the flow channels, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C show perspective and plan side views of an exemplary collector structure incorporating flow management constrictions within the flow channels, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary collector structure with flow management constrictions incorporated into the collector flow channels, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary collector structure with flow management constrictions incorporated into the collector flow channels, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of an exemplary collector structure with one or more vents that can control the flow of liquid between a reservoir and an overflow volume in a cartridge, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary collector structure with flow management control, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary collector structure with flow management control, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary collector structure with flow management control, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate front plan and close-up views of exemplary flow management features within a collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate front plan and close-up views of exemplary flow management features within a collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate front plan and close-up views of exemplary flow management features within a collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 5L-5N show snapshots of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 5L-5N according to one or more implementations as it is managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede. 5L-5N show snapshots of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 5L-5N according to one or more implementations as it is managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede. 5L-5N show snapshots of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 5L-5N according to one or more implementations as it is managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede. 5L-5N show snapshots of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 5L-5N according to one or more implementations as it is managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede. 5L-5N show snapshots of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 5L-5N according to one or more implementations as it is managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede. 5L-5N show snapshots of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 5L-5N according to one or more implementations as it is managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede. 5L-5N show snapshots of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 5L-5N according to one or more implementations as it is managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede. 5L-5N show snapshots of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 5L-5N according to one or more implementations as it is managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede. 5L-5N show snapshots of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 5L-5N according to one or more implementations as it is managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede. 5L-5N show snapshots of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 5L-5N according to one or more implementations as it is managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede. 1 illustrates a front plan view of an exemplary flow management feature in a collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a perspective close-up view of an exemplary flow management feature in a collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 1 shows a front plan view highlighting certain aspects of an exemplary flow management feature in a collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 1 shows a front plan view highlighting certain aspects of an exemplary flow management feature in a collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 10A-10C show enlarged front plan views highlighting certain other aspects of exemplary flow management features in collector structures, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C show diagrams highlighting exemplary flow management features in a collector structure, according to one or more embodiments. 7-10 show snapshots in time as the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 7-10 is managed to provide adequate ventilation as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede, according to one or more implementations. 7-10 show snapshots in time as the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 7-10 is managed to provide adequate ventilation as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede, according to one or more implementations. 7-10 show snapshots in time as the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 7-10 is managed to provide adequate ventilation as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede, according to one or more implementations. 7-10 show snapshots in time as the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 7-10 is managed to provide adequate ventilation as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede, according to one or more implementations. 7-10 show snapshots in time as the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 7-10 is managed to provide adequate ventilation as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede, according to one or more implementations. 7-10 show snapshots in time as the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 7-10 is managed to provide adequate ventilation as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede, according to one or more implementations. 7-10 show snapshots in time as the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 7-10 is managed to provide adequate ventilation as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede, according to one or more implementations. 7-10 show snapshots in time as the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of FIG. 7-10 is managed to provide adequate ventilation as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates an example of a single-vent multi-channel collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates an example of a single-vent multi-channel collector structure, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary double-vent multi-channel collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary collector structure including one or more ribs or sealing bead profiles that support specific manufacturing techniques for securing the collector to a reservoir within a cartridge, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary collector structure including one or more ribs or sealing bead profiles that support specific manufacturing techniques for securing the collector to a reservoir within a cartridge, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1D show perspective, front, side, and exploded views of an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate perspective, front, side, bottom, and top views of an exemplary embodiment of a collector with a V-shaped vent, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C show perspective and cross-sectional views of an exemplary collector structure from different viewing angles, focusing on structural details to ensure alignment of the wicking element and wick housing relative to the atomizer toward one end of the cartridge, in accordance with one or more implementations. 1A-1C show perspective and cross-sectional views of an exemplary collector structure from different viewing angles, focusing on structural details to ensure alignment of the wicking element and wick housing relative to the atomizer toward one end of the cartridge, in accordance with one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary wick supply mechanism formed or structured through a collector, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary wick supply mechanism formed or structured through a collector, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary wick supply mechanism formed or structured through a collector, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary flow management feature in a collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary flow management feature in a collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary cartridge including an exemplary collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate perspective views of an exemplary cartridge at different fill levels, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate perspective views of an exemplary cartridge at different fill levels, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate perspective views of an exemplary cartridge at different fill levels, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate perspective views of an exemplary cartridge at different fill levels, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate perspective views of an exemplary cartridge at different fill levels, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate perspective views of an exemplary cartridge at different fill levels, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary filled and assembled cartridge according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary filled and assembled cartridge according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary filled and assembled cartridge according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary cartridge air path, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary cartridge air path, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary cartridge air path, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary cartridge with airflow paths, liquid supply channels, and a condensate collection system, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary cartridge with airflow paths, liquid supply channels, and a condensate collection system, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary cartridge body with an external airflow path, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary cartridge body with an external airflow path, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary cartridge with a collector structure having a void in a bottom rib of the collector structure, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary cartridge with a collector structure having a void in a bottom rib of the collector structure, according to one or more implementations. 10 shows an enlarged view of an end of a wick supply positioned proximate to the wick and configured to at least partially receive the wick, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary collector structure having a square design wick supply combined with an air gap at one end of the overflow passage, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a rear view of a collector structure with, for example, four separate exhaust sites, according to one or more implementations. A side view of a collector structure, particularly showing the clamp-shaped end of the wick supply, which can hold the wick firmly within the wick supply path, according to one or more implementations. A top view of a collector structure having a wick supply channel for receiving vaporizable material from a storage chamber of a cartridge and directing the vaporizable material toward a wick held at the end of the wick supply channel by the protruding end of the wick supply channel, in one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a front plan view of a collector structure according to one or more implementations. FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of a collector structure with a wick supply channel terminating in clamp-shaped protrusions configured to hold the wick in place at each end, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 10 illustrates a planar top view of a collector structure with two clamp-shaped ends of two corresponding wick supplies, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a collector structure with two clamp-shaped ends of two corresponding wick supplies, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate various perspective, top, and side views of an exemplary collector having different structural implementations, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate various perspective, top, and side views of an exemplary collector having different structural implementations, according to one or more implementations. 1A-1C illustrate various perspective, top, and side views of an exemplary wick housing according to one or more implementations. 10 illustrates the collector and wick housing components of an exemplary cartridge configured in a structure on the wick housing such that protruding tabs are insertably received in corresponding receiving notches or cavities in the bottom of the collector, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a cartridge, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge, according to one or more implementations. 1 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge, according to one or more implementations. FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an atomizer assembly according to one or more implementations.

Unless otherwise indicated, the same or similar reference numbers may indicate the same, similar, or equivalent structure, function, aspect, or element in one or more implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS Vaporizers configured to convert liquid vaporizable material into a gas and/or aerosol phase (e.g., a suspension of gas and particle phase material in air in relative local equilibrium between the phases) typically include a reservoir, or storage container (also referred to herein as a reservoir, storage compartment, storage chamber, or storage volume) containing a quantity of liquid vaporizable material, an atomizer (also referred to as an atomizer assembly), a heating element (e.g., an electrical resistance element that passes an electric current and converts the electric current into thermal energy) that heats the liquid vaporizable material and converts at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material into a gas phase, and a wicking element (sometimes simply referred to as a wick, but generally refers to an element or combination of elements that exerts capillary forces to draw the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir to a location that is heated by the action of the heating element). The resulting gas-phase liquid vaporizable material may subsequently (and optionally almost immediately) begin to at least partially condense (depending on various factors), forming an aerosol in air passing through, over, near, around, etc., the atomizer.

As the liquid vaporizable material in the wicking element is heated and converted to a gas phase (and then, optionally, converted to an aerosol), the volume of the liquid vaporizable material in the reservoir decreases. Because there is no mechanism for the air or any other substance created in the reservoir to enter the void space (e.g., the portion of the reservoir volume not occupied by the liquid vaporizable material) when the volume of the liquid vaporizable material is reduced by conversion to a gas/aerosol phase, a reduced pressure (e.g., at least a partial vacuum) is created in the reservoir. Because the partial vacuum pressure counteracts the capillary pressure created in the wicking element, this reduced pressure can adversely affect the effectiveness of the wicking element to draw the vaporizable material from the storage chamber or reservoir near the heating element and vaporize it into the gas phase.

More specifically, a reduced pressure in the reservoir can result in insufficient saturation of the wick and ultimately in insufficient vaporizable material being delivered to the atomizer for reliable operation of the vaporizer. To counteract the reduced pressure, ambient air can be admitted to the reservoir to equalize the pressure between the interior of the reservoir and the ambient pressure. Backfilling the void in the reservoir caused by the vaporized liquid vaporizable material with air can occur in some vaporizers by flowing air into the reservoir through a wicking element. However, this process generally requires that the wicking element be at least partially dry. Because a dry wicking element may not be easily achieved and/or may not be desirable for reliable operation of the vaporizer, another typical approach is to provide a vent that allows equalization between ambient conditions and the pressure in the reservoir.

The presence of air in the reservoir cavity, whether through a wick or other vent or ventilation structure, can create one or more other problems. For example, if the air pressure in the reservoir cavity equalizes (or at least approaches) the ambient pressure, particularly as the volume of the air-filled cavity increases relative to the total volume of the reservoir, a pressure differential between the cavity air and ambient conditions (e.g., the cavity air is at a higher pressure than ambient) can cause liquid vaporizable material to leak from the reservoir, for example, through a wick, an existing vent, etc. The pressure difference between the air in the reservoir and the current ambient pressure can be caused by one or more of several factors, such as heating of the air in the cavity (e.g., holding the reservoir in one's hand, moving the vaporizer from a cold place to a warm place, etc.), mechanical forces that can distort the shape of the reservoir and thereby reduce its internal volume (e.g., squeezing a portion of the vaporizer, causing a distortion of the reservoir volume), or a sudden drop in ambient pressure (e.g., such as occurs in an airplane cabin during air travel, when a car or train enters or exits a tunnel, or when a window is opened or closed while the vehicle is traveling at high speed).

Leakage of liquid vaporizable material from a vaporizer reservoir as described above is generally undesirable because the leaked liquid vaporizable material may cause an undesirable mess (e.g., by staining clothing or other items near the vaporizer), may enter the inhalation path of the vaporizer and thereby be directly ingested by the user in liquid phase rather than in aerosol form, or may interfere with the function of the vaporizer (e.g., by staining pressure sensors, affecting the operability of electrical circuits and/or switches, staining the charging port and/or the connection between the cartridge and the vaporizer body, etc.). Thus, leakage of liquid vaporizable material may interfere with the function and cleanliness of the vaporizer.

Examples of vaporizers include, but are not limited to, electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), or devices and systems with the same, similar, or equivalent structural or functional features or capabilities. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary block diagram of an exemplary vaporizer 100. The vaporizer 100 may include a vaporizer body 110 and a vaporizer cartridge 120 (also referred to simply as vaporizer cartridge 120). The vaporizer body 110 may include a power source 112 (e.g., a rechargeable battery) and a controller 104 (e.g., a programmable logic device, processor, or circuitry capable of executing logic code, such as software or firmware, and/or implementing logic through hardware functions, such as logic gates) for controlling the delivery of heat to an atomizer 141 to convert a vaporizable material (not shown) from a condensed form (e.g., a solid, liquid, solution, suspension, at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to a gas phase, or more generally, to convert the vaporizable material to an inhalable form or a precursor to an inhalable form. In this context, the inhalable form may be a gas or an aerosol, or some other airborne form. The inhalable form of the precursor may include a vapor phase of a vaporizable material that at some point after the vapor phase is formed (optionally immediately or nearly immediately, or after some delay or cooling) condenses at least partially to form an aerosol. The controller 104 may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with a particular implementation and may be utilized to control certain functions of the vaporizer body 110 in conjunction with one or more sensors 113.

As shown, the vaporizer body 110, in some implementations of the present subject matter, may include another sensor 113, vaporizer body contacts 125, a seal 115, and a cartridge receptacle 118 configured to receive at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 for coupling with the vaporizer body 110, optionally through one or more various attachment structures. The vaporizer cartridge 120 can be coupled to the vaporizer body 110 using a male or female receptacle structure or some combination thereof. For example, in some implementations of the present subject matter, an inner portion of the first end of the cartridge can be received in the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110, and an outer portion of the first end of the cartridge at least partially covers a portion of the outer surface of the structure on the vaporizer body 110 that forms the cartridge receptacle 118. Such a configuration for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110 may allow for a convenient and easy-to-use joining method that also provides sufficient mechanical bond strength to avoid undesired separation between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110. Such a configuration may also provide desirable resistance to flexing of the vaporizer formed by coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110.

With respect to the vaporizer body contacts 125, it should be understood that these may also be referred to as "receptacle contacts 125," particularly in implementations where the corresponding cartridge contacts 124 (discussed below) are located on a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 that is inserted into a receptacle or receptacle-like structure in the vaporizer body 110. However, the terms "vaporizer body contacts 125" and/or "receptacle contacts 125" are also used herein as well, as aspects of the present subject matter are not limited to (and may be used to provide various system benefits other than) electrical connections between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 that occur between contacts in the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110 and a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 that is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118.

In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may include a reservoir 140 for containing a liquid vaporizable material and a mouthpiece 130 for delivering a dose of the vaporizable material in an inhalable form. The mouthpiece may optionally be a separate component from the structure forming the reservoir 140, or may be formed from the same part or component that forms at least a portion of one or more walls of the reservoir 140. The liquid vaporizable material in the reservoir 140 may be a carrier solution in which active or inactive ingredients may be suspended, dissolved, or held in solution or in the neat liquid form of the vaporizable material itself.

According to one implementation, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may include an atomizer 141 that may include a wick or wicking element as well as a heater (e.g., a heating element). As described above, the wicking element may include any material capable of causing fluid absorption through the wick by capillary pressure to transport a quantity of liquid vaporizable material to the portion of the atomizer 141 that includes the heating element. The wick and heating element are not shown in FIG. 1 but are disclosed and discussed in further detail herein with reference to at least FIGS. 3A and 3B. Briefly, the wicking element may be configured to draw liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir 140 configured to contain the liquid vaporizable material, such that the liquid vaporizable material is vaporized (i.e., converted to a gaseous state) by heat delivered from the heating element to the wicking element, and the liquid vaporizable material is drawn into the wicking element. In some implementations, as liquid vaporizable material is removed from reservoir 140 during vapor and/or aerosol formation, air may enter reservoir 140 through a wicking element or other opening, at least partially equalizing the pressure within reservoir 140.

In embodiments in which at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 110 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 120, it may be advantageous for the atomizer 141 to be positioned within the vaporizer cartridge 120 such that at least a portion of the atomizer 141 is positioned within the cartridge receptacle 118 when the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 are connected. Among other potential advantages of such an arrangement, this configuration may allow additional heat shielding for the atomizer 141 to be provided by a durable/reusable portion of the vaporizer body 110 (e.g., instead of requiring such shielding to be provided in a disposable part such as the vaporizer cartridge 120) and the ability to connect the electrical resistance heater mechanism of the atomizer 141 to the vaporizer body's power supply 112 without requiring long electrical leads that may require electrical isolation from other components within the vaporizer cartridge 120. Additionally, positioning the electrical contacts on the vaporizer body 110 at least partially within the cartridge receptacle 118 can provide protection for the contacts from potential mechanical or other environmental damage by reducing access to them when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is not connected to the vaporizer body 110.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure sensor (and other sensors) 113 may be positioned on or coupled to the controller 104 (e.g., via an electrical, electronic, physical, or wireless connection). The controller 104 may be a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board. To ensure accurate measurements and maintain the durability of the vaporizer 100, it may be beneficial to provide a resilient seal 115 to isolate the airflow path from other portions of the vaporizer 100. The seal 115, which may be a gasket, may be configured to at least partially surround the pressure sensor 113 such that the connection of the pressure sensor 113 to the vaporizer's internal circuitry may be isolated from the portion of the pressure sensor exposed to the airflow path.

The liquid vaporizable material used in the vaporizer 100 may be provided in a disposable vaporizer cartridge 120 that can be refilled when empty or replaced with a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of the same or different type. The vaporizer may be a cartridge-based vaporizer or a multi-purpose vaporizer that can be used with or without a cartridge. For example, a multi-purpose vaporizer may include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven) configured to receive vaporizable material directly into the heating chamber, as well as a cartridge or other replaceable device having a reservoir, volume, or other functional or structural equivalent that at least partially contains a usable amount of vaporizable material.

In the example of a cartridge-based vaporizer, the seal 115 may separate portions of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body 110 and the vaporizer cartridge 120. Such placement of the seal 115 within the vaporizer 100 may help mitigate potentially destructive effects on vaporizer components resulting from interaction with one or more environmental factors, such as condensed water, vaporizable material leaking from the reservoir and/or condensing after vaporization, reduce air leakage from the vaporizer's designed airflow path, etc.

Unwanted air, liquid, or other fluids passing through or contacting the vaporizer 100 circuitry can cause various undesirable effects, such as altered pressure measurements, or can cause unwanted materials (e.g., moisture, vaporizable materials, and/or the like) to accumulate on parts of the vaporizer 100, which can result in a reduced pressure signal, degradation of pressure sensors or other electrical or electronic components, and/or a shortened vaporizer lifespan. A leak in the seal 115 can also result in the user inhaling air that has passed through portions of the vaporizer 100 that contain or are constructed of uninhalable material.

Vaporizers configured to generate at least a portion of an inhalable dose of non-liquid vaporizable material via heating of the non-liquid vaporizable material may also be within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. For example, instead of or in addition to a liquid vaporizable material, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may include a mass of plant material or other non-liquid material (e.g., a solid form of the vaporizable material itself, such as "wax") that is processed and formed to be in direct contact with at least a portion of one or more resistive heating elements (or heated radiatively and/or convectively by the heating elements), which may optionally be included in the vaporizer cartridge 120 or a portion of the vaporizer body 110. Solid vaporizable material (e.g., including plant material) may release only a portion of the plant material as vaporizable material (e.g., such that some of the plant material remains as waste after the vaporizable material is released for inhalation), or may ultimately vaporize all of the solid material for inhalation. Similarly, liquid vaporizable material may be completely vaporized or may include a portion of the liquid material that remains after all of the inhalable material is consumed.

When configured with a vaporizable material and a heating element within the vaporizer cartridge 120, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may be mechanically and electrically connected to the vaporizer body 110. The vaporizer body 110 may include a processor, a power source 112, and one or more vaporizer body contacts 125 that connect to corresponding cartridge contacts 124 to complete a circuit with the resistive heating element included in the vaporizer cartridge 120. Various vaporizer configurations may be implemented with one or more of the features described herein.

In some implementations, the vaporizer 100 may include a power supply 112 as part of the vaporizer body 110, and the heating element may be disposed within a vaporizer cartridge 120 configured to mate with the vaporizer body 110. A vaporizer 100 configured in this manner may include electrical connections for completing a circuit including the controller 104, the power supply 112, and the heating element included in the vaporizer cartridge 120.

The at least two cartridge contacts 124 and the at least two vaporizer body contacts 125 can take a variety of forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts may include conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes for pins or posts, etc. Some types of contacts may include springs or other biasing mechanisms to create better physical and electrical contact between the contacts on the vaporizer cartridge and the vaporizer body. The electrical contacts may be gold plated and/or include other materials.

In some implementations of the present subject matter, the connection mechanism may include at least two cartridge contacts 124 on the bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and at least two vaporizer body contacts 125 disposed near the base of the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer 100, such that the cartridge contacts 124 and the vaporizer body contacts 125 electrically connect when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into and mated with the cartridge receptacle 118. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the vaporizer body contacts 125 may be compressible pins (e.g., pogo pins) that retract under pressure of the corresponding cartridge contacts 124 when the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into and secured in the cartridge receptacle 118. Other configurations are also contemplated. For example, brush contacts may be used that electrically connect with corresponding contacts in a mating portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120. Such vaporizer body contacts 125, which may be positioned on an interior surface of the cartridge receptacle 118 other than the base end, need not be electrically connected to the cartridge contacts 124 on the bottom end of the vaporizer cartridge 120, but may instead be biased outward from one or more side walls of the cartridge receptacle 118 to connect with cartridge contacts 124 on a portion of a side of the vaporizer cartridge 120 that is within the receptacle when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is properly inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. Alternatively, the cartridge contacts 124 positioned on one or more sides of the insertable portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 may have one or more mechanisms for biasing them outward from the insertable portion against vaporizer body contacts 125 positioned on one or more interior surfaces of the cartridge receptacle 118. It will be readily understood that other arrangements of the vaporizer body contacts 125 and cartridge contacts 124 are within the scope of the subject matter described herein.

The circuit completed by the electrical connections allows for current to be sent to the resistive heating element, and can be further used for additional functions, such as measuring the resistance of the resistive heating element for use in determining or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on the thermal coefficient of resistivity of the resistive heating element, and identifying the vaporizer cartridge 120 based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other circuitry of the vaporizer cartridge 120.

In some examples, at least two cartridge contacts 124 and at least two vaporizer body contacts 125 (e.g., receptacle contacts for implementations in which a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118) may be configured to electrically connect when the coupling between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 is physically connected in either of at least two orientations. In other words, one or more circuits configured for operation of the vaporizer 100 can be completed by inserting (or otherwise mating) at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the vaporizer body 110, for example, by inserting at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110 in a first rotational direction (e.g., about an axis along which the insertable portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110), such that a first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 is electrically connected to a first vaporizer body contact of the at least two vaporizer body contacts 125, and a second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 is electrically connected to a second vaporizer body contact of the at least two vaporizer body contacts 125.

Furthermore, one or more circuits configured for operation of the vaporizer 100 can be completed by inserting (or otherwise mating) the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a second rotational orientation, such that a first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 is electrically connected to a second vaporizer contact of the at least two vaporizer body contacts 125, and a second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 is electrically connected to a first vaporizer body contact of the at least two vaporizer body contacts 125. The vaporizer cartridge 120 may be reversibly insertable into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110, as provided in further detail herein.

In one example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer body 110 may include detents (e.g., recesses, protrusions, etc.) that protrude inward from the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118. One or more outer surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 120 may include corresponding recesses (not shown in FIG. 1) that fit or otherwise snap into such detents when an end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110.

The vaporizer cartridge 120 and vaporizer body 110 may be coupled, for example, by inserting an end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110. A detent on the vaporizer body 110 may fit and/or be otherwise retained within a recess on the vaporizer cartridge 120 to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place when assembled. Such a detent-recess assembly may provide sufficient support to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place and ensure sufficient contact between the at least two cartridge contacts 124 and the at least two vaporizer body contacts 125, while still allowing a user to pull the vaporizer cartridge 120 with a reasonable amount of force to disengage the vaporizer cartridge 120 from the cartridge receptacle 118, thereby permitting removal of the vaporizer cartridge 120 from the vaporizer body 110.

In addition to the above discussion regarding a reversible electrical connection between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 such that coupling between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 occurs in at least two allowable relative rotational orientations, in some implementations of the vaporizer 100, the shape of the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least the shape of the end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle 118, may have at least second-order rotational symmetry. In other words, the vaporizer cartridge 120 or at least the mechanical mating features and electrical contacts on the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 may have 180° rotational symmetry along the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer 100 may support identical operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge 120 occurs. It will be understood that the entire insertable end of the cartridge need not be symmetrical in all implementations of the present subject matter. For example, a vaporizer cartridge 120 that is shaped and sized to fit within the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110, has rotationally symmetric mechanical features for cooperatively engaging corresponding features inside or outside the cartridge receptacle 118, and has cartridge electrical contacts 124 that also have rotational symmetry, and internal circuitry (optionally in either or both of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110) that is compatible with reversing the electrical contacts, is consistent with the present disclosure, even if the overall shape and appearance of the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is not rotationally symmetric.

As noted above, in some exemplary embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least a portion of the end of the vaporizer cartridge 120, is configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle 118 and may have a non-circular cross-section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. For example, the non-circular cross-section may be generally rectangular, generally elliptical (e.g., generally oval), a non-rectangular shape but having two sets of parallel or generally parallel opposing sides (e.g., having a parallelogram-like shape), or another shape having at least second-order rotational symmetry. In this context, having an approximately (approximately) shape indicates that a basic similarity to the described shape is apparent, but the sides of the shape in question need not be perfectly straight and the apex need not be perfectly sharp. The description of a non-circular cross-section referred to herein contemplates some degree of rounding of the edges and/or apex of the cross-sectional shape.

A vaporizer 100 consistent with implementations of the disclosed subject matter may be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly or via a wired connection) to one or more computing devices that communicate with the vaporizer 100. To this end, the controller 104 may include communications hardware 105. The controller 104 may also include memory 108. The computing device may be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer 100, or may include separate communications hardware capable of establishing a wireless communications channel with the communications hardware 105 of the vaporizer 100.

Computing devices used as part of a vaporizer system include general-purpose computing devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, personal computers, other portable devices such as smartwatches, etc.) that execute software to create a user interface that allows a user of the device to interact with the vaporizer 100. In other implementations, a device used as part of a vaporizer system may be a dedicated hardware item, such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft interface controls (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or other input device such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, etc.). The vaporizer 100 may also include one or more outputs 117 or devices for providing information to a user.

A computing device that is part of the vaporizer system defined above may be used for any one or more functions, such as controlling dose (e.g., dose monitoring, dose setting, dose limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling session (e.g., session monitoring, session setting, session limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling nicotine delivery (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizable material, adjusting the amount of nicotine delivered, etc.), obtaining location information (e.g., location of other users, location of retail/commercial establishment, location of inhalation, relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself, etc.), personalizing the vaporizer (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 service provider, etc.), and participating in social activities with other users (e.g., social media communication, interacting with one or more groups, etc.). The terms "sessionization," "session," "vaporizer session," or "vapor session" may be used to refer to a period of time spent using a vaporizer. The period may include a time period, number of doses, amount of vaporizable material, etc.

In examples where a computing device provides signals related to activation of a resistive heating element, or in other examples where a computing device interfaces with the vaporizer 100 for implementing various control or other functions, the computing device executes one or more sets of computer instructions to provide a user interface and basic data processing. In one example, detection of user interaction with one or more user interface elements by the computing device can cause the computing device to send a signal to the vaporizer 100 to activate the heating element to one of the full operating temperatures for generating an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer 100 may be controlled by user interaction with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer 100.

In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 120 usable with the vaporizer body 110 may include an atomizer 141 having a wicking element and a heating element. Alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the heating element may be part of the vaporizer body 110. In implementations in which any portion of the atomizer 141 (e.g., the heating element or the wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer 100 may be configured to deliver liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir 140 within the vaporizer cartridge to a wick and other atomizer components, such as the wicking element, heating element, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that a capillary structure including a wicking element is just one potential embodiment usable with the other features described herein.

Activation of the heating element may be triggered by automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 113, such as, for example, a pressure sensor positioned to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or which may measure changes in absolute pressure), one or more motion sensors in the vaporizer 100, one or more flow sensors in the vaporizer 100, a capacitive lip sensor in the vaporizer 100, in response to detection of a user's interaction with one or more input devices 116 (e.g., buttons or other tactile controls on the vaporizer 100), receiving a signal from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer 100, or through other approaches to determining that a puff has occurred or is imminent.

The heating element may be or include one or more of a conduction heater, a radiant heater, and a convection heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which may be constructed of, or at least include, a material (e.g., a metal or alloy such as a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate power in the form of heat when an electric current passes through one or more resistive segments of the heating element.

In some implementations, the atomizer 141 may include a heating element, including a resistive coil or other heating element, wrapped, internally positioned, embedded in a bulk form, pressed into thermal contact, positioned nearby, configured to heat air to cause convective heating, or otherwise arranged to transfer heat to a wicking element that draws liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir 140 and vaporizes it for subsequent inhalation of the gas and/or condensed (e.g., aerosol particle or droplet) phase by a user. As discussed further below, other wicking element, heating element, or atomizer assembly configurations may also be possible.

After converting the vaporizable material to the gas phase, depending on the type of vaporizer, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporizable material, or other factors, at least a portion of the gas-phase vaporizable material may condense to form particulate matter that is at least partially in local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of an aerosol, and this matter may form some or all of the inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer 100 for a given puff or inhalation at the vaporizer.

The interaction between the vapor and condensed phases of the aerosol produced by a vaporizer can be complex and dynamic, as factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry (e.g., acid-base interactions, protonation, or the lack of compounds released from the vaporizable material upon heating), flow conditions in the airflow path (both within the vaporizer and with the human or other animal's respiratory tract), and mixing of the vapor or aerosol phase vaporizable material with other airflows can affect one or more physical and/or chemical parameters of the aerosol. In some vaporizers, particularly those delivering more volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose may reside primarily in the vapor phase (i.e., condensed phase particle formation may be very limited).

As noted elsewhere herein, certain vaporizers may also (or alternatively) be configured to produce inhalable doses of gas-phase and/or aerosol-phase vaporizable material, at least in part, via heating of a non-liquid vaporizable material, such as, for example, a solid-phase vaporizable material (e.g., wax) or a plant material containing the vaporizable material (e.g., tobacco leaves or portions of tobacco leaves). In such vaporizers, the resistive heating element may be part of, otherwise incorporated into, or in thermal contact with the wall of an oven or other heating chamber in which the non-liquid vaporizable material is placed.

Alternatively, a resistive heating element may be used to heat air passing over or through the non-liquid vaporizable material, causing convective heating of the non-liquid vaporizable material. In yet another example, the resistive heating element may be positioned in intimate contact with the plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within the mass of plant material (e.g., as opposed to internal conduction from the oven walls).

The heating element may be activated by a controller 104, which may be part of the vaporizer body 110. The controller 104 may pass current from a power source 112 through a circuit including a resistive heating element, which may be part of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The controller 104 may be activated in connection with a user's puff (e.g., inhalation, etc.) at the mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer 100, which may cause air to flow from the air inlet along an airflow path through the atomizer 141. The atomizer 141 may include a wick, for example, in combination with the heating element.

The airflow caused by the user's puff passes through one or more condensation regions or chambers within and/or downstream of the atomizer 141 and then flows toward the air outlet of the mouthpiece. Thus, incoming air flowing along the airflow path may pass over, through, near, around, etc. the atomizer 141, resulting in gas-phase vaporizable material (or other inhalable form of vaporizable material) being entrained in the air by the atomizer 141, which converts a partial amount of the vaporizable material into the gas phase. As noted above, the entrained gas-phase vaporizable material may condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path, such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in aerosol form is delivered from the air outlet (e.g., via the mouthpiece 130 for inhalation by the user).

The temperature of the resistive heating element of the vaporizer 100 may depend on one or more of a number of factors, including the amount of power supplied to the resistive heating element or the duty cycle at which power is supplied, conductive and/or radiative heat transfer to other parts of the vaporizer 100 or the environment, specific heat transfer to the air and/or liquid or gas phase vaporizable material (e.g., raising the temperature of the vaporizable material to its vaporization point or raising the temperature of a gas such as air mixed with the vaporized vaporizable material), latent heat loss due to vaporization of the vaporizable material from the wick and/or across the atomizer 141, convective heat loss due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or atomizer 141 when a user inhales on the vaporizer 100), etc.

As noted above, to reliably activate the heating element or heat it to a desired temperature, the vaporizer 100, in some implementations, can utilize a signal from a pressure sensor to determine when the user is inhaling. The pressure sensor can be positioned in the airflow path or can be connected (e.g., by a passageway or other path) to the airflow path connecting the inlet for air entering the device and the outlet through which the user inhales the resulting vapor and/or aerosol, such that the pressure sensor can experience pressure changes simultaneously with the air passing through the vaporizer 100 from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some implementations, the heating element can be activated in conjunction with a user's puff, for example, by automatic detection of the puff, such as by a pressure sensor detecting pressure changes in the airflow path.

1, 2A, and 2B, at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be removably inserted into the vaporizer body 110 via the cartridge receptacle 118. As shown in FIG. 2A, which shows a top view of the vaporizer body 110 next to the vaporizer cartridge 120, the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 may be formed in whole or in part from a translucent material so that the level of liquid vaporizable material 102 in the vaporizer cartridge 120 is visible. The vaporizer cartridge 120 may be configured such that the level of vaporizable material 102 in the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 remains visible through a window in the vaporizer body 110 when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is received in the cartridge receptacle 118. Alternatively or additionally, the level of liquid vaporizable material 102 in the reservoir 140 can be seen through a transparent or translucent outer wall or window formed in the outer wall of the vaporizer cartridge 120.

2C and 2D, an exemplary vaporizer cartridge 120 is shown in which an airflow path 134 is formed during a user's puffing on the vaporizer 100. The airflow path 134 directs air to a vaporization chamber 150 (see, e.g., FIG. 2D) contained in a wick housing where the air combines with an inhalable aerosol delivered to a user via a mouthpiece 130, which may be part of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The vaporization chamber 150 can include and/or at least partially surround an atomizer 141 consistent with the remainder of the present disclosure. For example, when a user puffs on the vaporizer 100, the airflow path 134 may pass between an exterior surface (e.g., window 132) of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and an interior surface of the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110. Air can then be drawn into the insertable end 122 of the cartridge, through a vaporization chamber 150 that includes or houses a heating element and a wicking element, and out the outlet 136 of the mouthpiece 130 to deliver an inhalable aerosol to the user. Other airflow path configurations, including but not limited to those discussed in more detail below, are within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 2D illustrates additional features that may be included in a vaporizer cartridge 120 consistent with the present subject matter. For example, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may include multiple cartridge contacts (e.g., cartridge contacts 124) disposed at an insertable end 122 configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110. Each of the cartridge contacts 124 may optionally be part of a single piece of metal forming a conductive structure (e.g., conductive structure 126) connected to one of two ends of a resistive heating element. The conductive structure may optionally form both sides of the heating chamber and may optionally function as a heat shield and/or heat sink to reduce heat transfer to the outer wall of the vaporizer cartridge 120. More details about this aspect are provided below.

FIG. 2D also shows a cannula 128 (an example of a more general concept also referred to herein as an airflow passage) within the vaporizer cartridge 120, defining a portion of an airflow path 134 between the heating chamber (sometimes referred to herein as an atomizer chamber, vaporization chamber, etc.), which may be formed at least in part by the conductive structure 126, and the mouthpiece 130. With such a configuration, air flows down around the insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120, into the cartridge receptacle 118, and then back in the opposite direction after passing around the insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 (e.g., the end opposite the end including the mouthpiece 130) as it enters the cartridge body toward the vaporization chamber 150. The airflow path 134 then travels within the vaporizer cartridge 120, e.g., via one or more tubes or internal channels (e.g., cannula 128), and through one or more outlets (e.g., outlet 136) formed in the mouthpiece 130.

Pressure Equalization Vent As mentioned above, removal of vaporizable material 102 from reservoir 140 (e.g., by capillary suction by the wicking element) can create at least a partial vacuum within reservoir 140 relative to ambient air pressure (e.g., a reduced pressure created in a portion of the reservoir emptied by consumption of liquid vaporizable material), which can interfere with the capillary action provided by the wicking element. This reduced pressure, in some instances, can be large enough to reduce the effectiveness of the wicking element in drawing liquid vaporizable material 102 into vaporization chamber 150, thereby reducing the effectiveness of vaporizer 100 in vaporizing a desired amount of vaporizable material 102, such as when a user puffs on vaporizer 100. In extreme cases, the resulting vacuum within reservoir 140 can prevent all of vaporizable material 102 from being drawn into vaporization chamber 150, thereby leading to incomplete use of vaporizable material 102. To alleviate this problem, one or more venting mechanisms may be included in association with the vaporizer reservoir 140 (regardless of the positioning of the reservoir 140 in the vaporizer cartridge 120 or elsewhere in the vaporizer) to allow for at least partial equalization (optionally complete equalization) of the pressure within the reservoir 140 relative to the ambient pressure (e.g., the pressure of the ambient air outside the reservoir 140).

In some cases, pressure equalization within the reservoir 140 improves the efficiency of delivery of liquid vaporizable material to the atomizer 141, but this is improved by allowing an otherwise empty void volume within the reservoir 140 (e.g., space vacated by use of the liquid vaporizable material) to fill with air. As discussed in more detail below, this air-filled void volume can then be subject to pressure changes relative to the ambient air, which, under certain conditions, can cause leakage of liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir 140, ultimately to the outside of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and/or other portions of the vaporizer, including the reservoir 140. Implementations of the present subject matter may provide advantages and benefits with respect to this issue as well.

Various features and devices that improve or overcome these problems are described below. For example, various features for controlling airflow and vaporizable material flow are described herein, providing advantages and improvements over existing approaches and also introducing additional advantages as described herein. The vaporization devices and/or cartridges described herein include one or more features that control and improve airflow within the vaporizer device and/or cartridge, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of vaporization of liquid vaporizable material by the vaporizer device without introducing additional features that may lead to leakage of the liquid vaporizable material.

2E and 2F show diagrams of first and second embodiments of reservoir systems 200A and 200B, respectively, configured for use with a vaporizer cartridge (such as vaporizer cartridge 120) and/or vaporizer device (such as vaporizer 100) to improve pressure equalization and airflow within the vaporizer. More specifically, the reservoir systems 200A and 200B shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F improve regulation of pressure within the reservoir 240, thereby reducing or even eliminating the occurrence of leakage of liquid vaporizable material through the vent structure after a user puffs on the vaporizer, thereby allowing the vaporizable material 202 to continue to be effectively drawn from the reservoir 240 into the vaporization chamber 242 after each puff due to capillary action of the porous material (e.g., wicking element) associated with the reservoir 240 and the vaporization chamber 242.

As shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F, reservoir systems 200A, 200B include a reservoir 240 configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material 202. The reservoir 240 is sealed on all sides by reservoir walls 232, except for the entire wick housing region extending between the reservoir 240 and the vaporization chamber 242. A heating element, or heater, may be contained within the vaporization chamber 242 and coupled to a wicking element. The wicking element is configured to provide capillary action to draw the vaporizable material 202 from the reservoir 240 into the vaporization chamber 242, where it is vaporized by the heater into an aerosol. The aerosol is then combined with airflow 234 traveling along the vaporizer's airflow passageway 238 for inhalation by the user.

Reservoir systems 200A, 200B also include an airflow restrictor 244 that restricts the passage of airflow 234 along the vaporizer's airflow passage 238, such as when a user puffs on the vaporizer. The restriction of airflow 234 caused by the airflow restrictor 244 can create a vacuum along a portion of the airflow passage 238 downstream of the airflow restrictor 244. The vacuum created along the airflow passage 238 can help draw aerosol formed in the vaporization chamber 242 (e.g., the chamber containing at least a portion of the atomizer 141) along the airflow passage 238 for inhalation by the user. At least one airflow restrictor 244 can be included in each reservoir system 200A, 200B, and the airflow restrictor 244 can include any number of mechanisms for restricting airflow 234 along the airflow passage 238.

2E and 2F, each of reservoir systems 200A, 200B may also include a vent 246 configured to selectively allow the passage of air into reservoir 240 to increase the pressure within reservoir 240, such as to relieve reservoir 240 from a negative pressure (vacuum) relative to ambient pressure caused by vaporizable material 202 being drawn from reservoir 240, as discussed above. At least one vent 246 may be associated with reservoir 240. Vent 246 may be an active or passive valve, and vent 246 may include any number of mechanisms for allowing air to enter reservoir 240 to relieve negative pressure created within reservoir 240.

For example, an embodiment of the vent 246 may include a vent passageway extending between the reservoir 240 and the airflow passageway 238, with a diameter (or more generally, a cross-sectional area) sized such that fluid tension (also referred to as surface tension) of the vaporizable material 202 prevents the vaporizable material 202 from passing through the passageway when pressure is equalized throughout the vent 246 (e.g., the pressure in the reservoir 240 is approximately the same as the pressure in the airflow passageway 238). However, the diameter (or more generally, the cross-sectional area) of the vent 246 and/or vent passageway may be sized such that the vacuum pressure created within the reservoir 240 can overcome the surface tension of the vaporizable material 202 within the vent 246 or vent passageway, such that air bubbles are released into the reservoir 240 through the vent in response to a sufficiently low pressure within the reservoir 240 relative to ambient pressure.

Thus, a quantity of air can pass from the air flow passage 238 into the reservoir 240, relieving the vacuum pressure. As the quantity of air is added to the reservoir 240, the pressure again becomes more uniform throughout the vent 246, causing the surface tension of the vaporizable material 202 to prevent air from entering the reservoir 240 and prevent the vaporizable material from escaping from the reservoir 240 through the ventilation passage.

In one exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the vent 246 or vent passageway may range from approximately 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm, and may include diameters ranging from approximately 0.1 mm to 2 mm. In some examples, the vent 246 and/or vent passageway may be non-circular, such that the vent 246 and/or vent passageway may be characterized by a non-circular cross-section along the direction of fluid flow within the vent passageway. In such examples, the cross-section is defined by the cross-sectional area rather than the diameter. Generally speaking, regardless of whether the cross-sectional shape of the vent 246 and/or vent passageway is circular or non-circular, in certain implementations of the present subject matter, it may be advantageous for the cross-sectional area of the vent 246 to vary along the path between the exposure to ambient air pressure and the interior of the reservoir 240. For example, the portion of the vent 246 closer to the external ambient pressure may advantageously have a smaller cross-sectional area (e.g., a smaller diameter in examples where the vent 246 has a circular cross-section) relative to the portion of the vent 246 closer to the interior of the reservoir 240. A smaller cross-sectional area closer to the exterior of the system may provide greater resistance to the escape of liquid vaporizable material, while a larger cross-sectional area closer to the interior of reservoir 240 may provide relatively less resistance to the escape of gas bubbles from vent 246 into reservoir 240. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the transition between the smaller and larger cross-sectional areas is advantageously not continuous, but instead involves a discontinuity along the length of vent 246 and/or the vent passage. Because the larger cross-sectional area near the reservoir may have lower capillary drive relative to the smaller cross-sectional area exposed to ambient air, such a structure may be useful for increasing the overall resistance to leakage of liquid material rather than balancing reservoir pressure due to the release of gas bubbles from vent 246.

The material of the vent 246 and/or vent passage can also assist in the control of the vent 246 and/or vent passage by affecting the contact angle between the walls of the vent 246 and/or vent passage and the vaporizable material 202. The contact angle can affect the surface tension created by the vaporizable material 202, which, as noted above, can affect the threshold pressure differential created across the vent 246 and/or vent passage before a volume of fluid passes through the vent 246. The vent 246 can include a variety of shapes/sizes and configurations that are within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, various embodiments of cartridges and cartridge components that include one or more of various venting mechanisms are described in more detail below.

Positioning of the vent 246 (e.g., a passive vent) and airflow restrictor 244 relative to the vaporization chamber 242 supports effective functioning of the reservoir systems 200A, 200B. For example, improper positioning of either the vent 246 or the airflow restrictor 244 can result in undesirable leakage of the vaporizable material 202 from the reservoir 240. This disclosure addresses effective positioning of the vent 246 and airflow restrictor 244 relative to the vaporization chamber 242 (including the wick). For example, a low or no pressure differential between the passive vent and the wick can be an effective reservoir system for releasing vacuum pressure within the reservoir, providing effective capillary action of the wick while preventing leakage. Configurations of reservoir systems with effective positioning of the vent 246 and airflow restrictor 244 relative to the vaporization chamber 242 are described in more detail below.

As shown in FIG. 2E, the airflow restrictor 244 can be positioned along the airflow passage 238 upstream of the vaporization chamber 242, and the vent 246 can be positioned along the reservoir 240, thereby fluidly connecting the reservoir 240 with a portion of the airflow passage 238 downstream of the vaporization chamber 242. Thus, when a user puffs on the vaporizer, a negative pressure is created downstream of the airflow restrictor 244 such that the vaporization chamber 242 experiences a negative pressure. Similarly, the side of the vent 246 that communicates with the airflow passage 238 also experiences a negative pressure.

Thus, during a puff (e.g., when a user draws or inhales air from the vaporization device), a small to zero pressure difference exists between the vent 246 and the vaporization chamber 242. However, after a puff, capillary action in the wick draws vaporizable material 202 from the reservoir 240 into the vaporization chamber 242, replenishing the vaporizable material 202 that was vaporized and inhaled as a result of the previous puff. This results in a vacuum or negative pressure within the reservoir 240. A pressure difference then exists between the reservoir 240 and the airflow passage 238. As discussed above, the vent 246 can be configured to allow a pressure difference (e.g., a threshold pressure difference) between the reservoir 240 and the airflow passage 238 to allow a volume of air to pass from the airflow passage 238 to the reservoir 240, thereby relieving the vacuum within the reservoir 240 and restoring uniform pressure across the vent 246 and a stable reservoir system 200A.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2F, the airflow restrictor 244 can be positioned along the airflow passage 238 downstream of the vaporization chamber 242, and the vent 246 can be positioned along the reservoir 240, thereby providing fluid communication between the reservoir 240 and a portion of the airflow passage 238 upstream of the vaporization chamber 242. Thus, when a user puffs on the vaporizer, the puff results in little or no suction or negative pressure on the vaporization chamber 242 and vent 246, and therefore little or no pressure differential between the vaporization chamber 242 and vent 246. As with FIG. 2E, the pressure differential across the vent 246 is the result of capillary action of the wick drawing the vaporizable material 202 into the vaporization chamber 242 after puffing. This results in a vacuum or negative pressure within the reservoir 240. A pressure differential is then created across the vent 246.

As discussed above, the vents 246 may be configured such that a pressure difference (e.g., a threshold pressure difference) between the reservoir 240 and the airflow passage 238 or the atmosphere causes a volume of air to flow into the reservoir 240, thereby relieving the vacuum within the reservoir 240. This equalizes pressure across the vents 246 and stabilizes the reservoir system 200B. The vents 246 may include various configurations and mechanisms and may be positioned at various locations along the vaporizer cartridge 120 to achieve various results. For example, one or more vents 246 may be adjacent to or form part of the vaporization chamber 242 or a portion of the wick housing. In such a configuration, the one or more vents 246 may provide fluid (e.g., air) communication between the reservoir 240 and the vaporization chamber 242 (through which air flows when a user puffs on the vaporizer, and thus is part of the airflow path).

Similarly, as noted above, the vent 246 adjacent to or forming part of the vaporization chamber 242 or wick housing allows air from within the vaporization chamber 242 to move through the vent 246 into the reservoir 240, increasing the pressure within the reservoir 240, thereby effectively relieving the vacuum pressure created as a result of the vaporizable material 202 being drawn into the vaporization chamber 242. The release of vacuum pressure thus allows efficient and effective capillary action of the vaporizable material 202 through the wick into the vaporization chamber 242 to continue, producing inhalable vapor during subsequent puffs by the user on the vaporizer. The following provides various exemplary embodiments of a venting vaporization chamber element (e.g., an atomizer assembly) including a wick housing 1315, 178 (containing the vaporization chamber) and at least one vent 596 connected to or forming part of the wick housing 1315, 178, to achieve the above-described effective venting of the reservoir 140.

3A and 3B, an exemplary cross-sectional plan view of an alternative cartridge embodiment 1320 is shown, in which the cartridge 1320 includes a mouthpiece or mouthpiece region 1330, a reservoir 1340, and an atomizer (not shown separately). Depending on the implementation, the atomizer can include a heating element 1350 and a wicking element 1362, together or separately, that are thermally or thermodynamically coupled to the heating element 1350 for the purpose of vaporizing vaporizable material 1302 drawn from or stored within the wicking element 1362.

In one embodiment, a plate 1326 may be included to provide an electrical connection between the heating element 1350 and the power source 112 (see FIG. 1). An airflow passage 1338 defined through or on the side of the reservoir 1340 may connect an area within the cartridge 1320 containing the wicking element 1362 (e.g., a wick housing, not separately shown) to an opening leading to the mouthpiece or mouthpiece area 1330, providing a route for the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to travel from the heating element 1350 area to the mouthpiece area 1330.

As provided above, the wicking element 1362 may be coupled to an atomizer or heating element 1350 (e.g., a resistive heating element or coil) that is connected to one or more electrical contacts (e.g., plate 1326). The heating element 1350 (and other heating elements described herein in one or more implementations) may have various shapes and/or configurations and may include one or more heating elements 1350, 500, or mechanisms thereof.

According to one or more exemplary implementations, the heating element 1350 of the cartridge 1320 can be made (e.g., punched) from a sheet of material and crimped or bent around at least a portion of the wicking element 1362 to provide a pre-formed element configured to receive the wicking element 1362 (e.g., the wicking element 1362 is pressed into the heating element 1350 and/or the heating element 1350 is held in tension and pulled over the wicking element 1362).

The heating element 1350 may be bent such that the heating element 1350 secures the wicking element 1362 between at least two or three portions of the heating element 1350. The heating element 1350 may be bent to conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 1362. The configuration of the heating element 1350 allows for more consistent, high-quality manufacturing of the heating element 1350. Consistency in the manufacturing quality of the heating element 1350 may be particularly important during scaled and/or automated manufacturing processes. For example, the heating element 1350 in one or more implementations helps reduce tolerance issues that may arise during the manufacturing process when assembling a heating element 1350 having multiple components.

The heating element 1350 may also improve the accuracy of measurements (e.g., resistance, current, temperature, etc.) taken from the heating element 1350 due, at least in part, to improved consistency in manufacturability of the heating element 1350 with reduced tolerance issues. A heating element 1350 made (e.g., stamped) from a sheet of material and crimped or bent around at least a portion of the wicking element 1362 to provide a pre-formed element desirably minimizes heat loss and helps ensure that the heating element 1350 behaves predictably to heat to the appropriate temperature.

Additionally, as described further below with respect to embodiments including heating elements formed of crimped metal, the heating element 1350 may be fully and/or selectively plated with one or more materials to enhance the heating performance of the heating element 1350. Plating all or a portion of the heating element 1350 can minimize heat loss. Plating can also help concentrate heat in portions of the heating element 1350, thereby providing a heating element 1350 that heats more efficiently and further reduces heat loss. Selective plating can help direct the current supplied to the heating element 1350 to the appropriate location. Selective plating can also help reduce the amount of plated material and/or costs associated with manufacturing the heating element 1350.

In addition to or in combination with the exemplary heating elements described and/or discussed below, the heating element may include a flat heating element disposed within a vaporizer cartridge including two airflow passages, a folded heating element positioned within a vaporizer cartridge including two airflow passages, and a folded heating element positioned within a vaporizer cartridge including a single airflow passage.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the heating element 1350 may include a wicking element 1362. For example, the wicking element 1362 may be near or adjacent to the plate 1326 and extend through a resistive heating element in contact with the plate 1326. A wick housing may surround at least a portion of the heating element 1350 and directly or indirectly connect the heating element 1350 to the airflow passage 1338. The vaporizable material 1302 may be drawn by the wicking element 1362 through one or more passages connected to the reservoir 1340. In one embodiment, one or both of the primary passages 1382 or secondary passages 1384 may be utilized to help direct or deliver the vaporizable material 1302 to one or both ends of the wicking element 1362 or radially along the length of the wicking element 1362.

As provided in further detail below with particular reference to embodiments of the overflow collector , particularly Figures 3A and 3B, the exchange of air and liquid vaporizable material into and out of the cartridge reservoir 1340 can be advantageously controlled, and the volumetric efficiency of the vaporizer cartridge (defined as the volume of liquid vaporizable material ultimately converted into inhalable aerosol relative to the total volume of the cartridge itself) can also be optionally improved by incorporating a structure called a collector 1313.

According to some implementations, the cartridge 1320 may include a reservoir 1340 defined at least in part by at least one wall (which may optionally be a wall shared with the cartridge's outer shell) configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material 1302. The reservoir 1340 may include a storage chamber 1342 and an overflow volume 1344, which may contain or otherwise contain the collector 1313. The storage chamber 1342 may contain the vaporizable material 1302, and the overflow volume 1344 may be configured to collect or retain at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 when one or more factors cause the vaporizable material 1302 in the reservoir storage chamber 1342 to move into the overflow volume 1344. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the cartridge may initially be filled with the liquid vaporizable material, thereby pre-filling the void in the collector with the liquid vaporizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the volume of the contents within the storage chamber 1342 expands due to the maximum anticipated pressure change the reservoir may experience relative to ambient pressure, the volume size of the overflow volume 1344 can be configured to be equal to, approximately equal to, or greater than the increase in volume of the contents (e.g., vaporizable material 1302 and air) contained within the storage chamber 1342.

In response to changes in ambient pressure or temperature 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 interior of the reservoir and ambient pressure and a second relative pressure difference between the interior of the reservoir and ambient pressure). In some aspects, overflow volume 1344 may have an opening to the exterior of cartridge 1320 and may be in communication with reservoir chamber 1342, such that overflow volume 1344 may equalize pressure within cartridge 1320 and/or function as a vent channel to collect, at least temporarily retain, and optionally reversibly return liquid vaporizable material that may migrate from the reservoir chamber in response to fluctuations in the pressure differential between the reservoir chamber and ambient air. As described herein, pressure differential refers to the difference in relative pressure between the interior of the reservoir and the ambient air outside the cartridge. Vaporizable material 1302 may be drawn from reservoir 1342 into the atomizer and converted to a vapor or aerosol phase, reducing the volume of vaporizable material remaining in reservoir 1342, and, in the absence of any mechanism for returning air to the reservoir and equalizing the pressure therein with ambient pressure, potentially resulting in at least a partial vacuum as previously described herein.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the reservoir 1340 may be implemented to include first and second separable regions such that the volume of the reservoir 1340 is divided into a reservoir storage chamber 1342 and a reservoir overflow volume 1344. The storage chamber 1342 may be configured to store the vaporizable material 1302 and may further be coupled to the wicking element 1362 via one or more primary passageways 1382. In some examples, the primary passageways 1362 may be very short in length (e.g., a through-hole from a space containing the wicking element or other portions of the atomizer). In other examples, the primary passageways may be part of a longer containment fluid path between the storage chamber and the wicking element. The overflow volume 1344 may be configured to store and contain a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 that may overflow the storage chamber 1342 during a second pressure state in which the pressure within the storage chamber 1342 is greater than ambient pressure, as provided in further detail below.

In a first pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 may be stored in the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir 1340. The first pressure state may exist, for example, when the ambient pressure is approximately the same as or greater than the pressure inside the cartridge 1320. In this first pressure state, the structural and functional characteristics of the primary passageway 1382 and the secondary passageway 1384 are such that the vaporizable material 1302 can flow from the storage chamber 1342 through the primary passageway 1382 toward the wicking element 1362, for example, under the capillary action of the wicking element, which draws the liquid near the heating element, which acts to convert the liquid vaporizable material to a gas phase. In one embodiment, in the first pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 does not flow, or flows only in limited amounts, into the secondary passageway 1384.

The second pressure condition may exist, for example, when the ambient pressure is less than the pressure inside the cartridge 1320. In the second pressure condition, the vaporizable material 1302 may flow from the storage chamber 1342 to, for example, an overflow volume 1344 of the reservoir 1340, which includes a collector 1313 that prevents or limits undesired (e.g., excessive) flow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the reservoir. The second pressure condition may exist or be caused, for example, when a volume of air expands within the storage chamber 1342 (e.g., due to the ambient pressure being less than the pressure within the cartridge 1320).

Advantageously, the flow of vaporizable material 1302 can be controlled by directing vaporizable material 1302 drawn from reservoir 1342 by a pressure differential increase toward overflow volume 1344. Collector 1313 in the overflow volume can include one or more capillary structures that contain at least some (and advantageously all) of the excess liquid vaporizable material pushed out of reservoir 1342 without allowing the liquid vaporizable material to reach the outlet of collector 1313. Collector 1313 also advantageously includes capillary structures that can reversibly draw back into reservoir 1342 liquid vaporizable material forced into collector 1313 by positive pressure in reservoir 1342 relative to ambient pressure when the pressure in reservoir 1342 relative to ambient pressure equalizes or otherwise decreases. In other words, the secondary passages 1384 of the collector 1313 may have microfluidic features or characteristics to capillary drive the liquid vaporizable material in the collector 1313 and return the vaporizable material to the reservoir 1342. The secondary passages 1384 may also prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and draining of the collector 1313. That is, microfluidic features may be used to manage the flow of vaporizable material 1302 to and from the collector 1313 (i.e., to provide a flow reversal mechanism) and prevent or reduce leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 or the entrapment of air bubbles in the reservoir 1342 or overflow volume 1344.

Depending on the implementation, the above microfluidic features or characteristics may relate to the size, shape, surface coating, surface roughness, structural features, and capillary properties of the wicking element 1362, primary passageway 1382, and secondary passageway 1384. For example, the secondary passageway 1384 of the collector 1313 may optionally have different capillary properties than the primary passageway 1382 leading to the wicking element 1362, thereby allowing a certain amount of vaporizable material 1302 to pass from the reservoir chamber 1342 to the overflow volume 1344 during the second pressure state.

In one exemplary implementation, the overall resistance of the collector 1313, which allows liquid to flow out, is greater than the overall wick resistance, which allows the vaporizable material 1302 to flow primarily through the primary passage 1382 toward the wicking element 1362 during, for example, the first pressure state.

The wicking element 1362 may provide a capillary pathway through or within the wicking element 1362 for the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the reservoir 1340. The capillary pathway (e.g., primary passageway 1382) may be large enough to allow wicking or capillary action to replace vaporized vaporizable material 1302 within the wicking element 1362, yet small enough to prevent the vaporizable material 1302 from leaking out of the cartridge 1320 during a negative pressure event. The wick housing or wicking element 1362 may be treated to prevent leakage. For example, the cartridge 1320 may be coated after filling to prevent leakage or vaporization through the wicking element 1362. Any suitable coating may be used, including, for example, a thermally vaporizable coating (e.g., wax or other material).

For example, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece region 1330, air enters the cartridge 1320 through an inlet or opening in operative relationship with the wicking element 1362. The heating element 1350 may be activated in response to a signal generated by one or more sensors 113 (see FIG. 1). The one or more sensors 113 may include at least one of a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a flow sensor, or other mechanism capable of detecting a change in the airflow passage 1338. When the heating element 1350 is activated, the heating element 1350 may increase in temperature as a result of electrical current flowing through the plate 1326, or through some other electrically resistive portion of the heating element that acts to convert electrical energy into thermal energy.

In one embodiment, the generated heat may be transferred to at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 within the wicking element 1362 via conductive, convective, or radiative heat transfer, causing at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wicking element 1362 to vaporize. Depending on the implementation, air entering the cartridge 1320 flows over (or around, near, etc.) the wicking element 1362 and the heated elements within the heating element 1350, drawing the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 into the airflow passage 1338, where the vapor may optionally condense and be delivered through openings in the mouthpiece region 1330, e.g., in the form of an aerosol.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the reservoir 1342 may be connected to the airflow passage 1338 (i.e., via the secondary passage 1384 of the overflow volume 1344) so that liquid vaporizable material driven from the reservoir 1342 by a pressure increase in the reservoir 1342 relative to the environment can be retained without leaking from the vaporizer cartridge. While the implementations described herein relate to a vaporizer cartridge including the reservoir 1340, it should be understood that the described approach is also compatible with and contemplated for use in vaporizers that do not have a separable cartridge.

Returning to our example, the air contained within reservoir 1342 may expand due to a pressure differential with the ambient air. This expansion of air within the reservoir 1342 cavity may cause the liquid vaporizable material to move through at least a portion of secondary passage 1384 within collector 1313. The microfluidic features of secondary passage 1384 allow the liquid vaporizable material to move along the length of secondary passage 1384 within collector 1313 with only a meniscus completely covering the cross-sectional area of secondary passage 1384 transverse to the direction of flow along the length.

In some implementations of the present subject matter, the microfluidic mechanism may include a cross-sectional area that is sufficiently small, relative to the material forming the walls of the secondary passageway and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material, such that the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passageway 1384 around the entire circumference of the secondary passageway 1384. In examples where the liquid vaporizable material includes one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, the wetting properties of such liquids are advantageously considered in combination with the shape of the secondary passageway 1384 and the material forming the walls of the secondary passageway. In this manner, as the sign (e.g., positive, negative, or equal) and magnitude of the pressure differential between the reservoir 1342 and the ambient pressure changes, a meniscus is maintained between the liquid in the secondary passageway and the air entering from the ambient atmosphere, preventing the liquid and air from passing past each other. If the pressure within the reservoir 1342 drops sufficiently relative to ambient pressure and there is sufficient void volume within the reservoir 1342 to allow it, the liquid within the secondary passage 1384 of the collector 1313 may be drawn into the reservoir 1342 sufficiently to create a primary liquid-air meniscus at the gate or port between the secondary passage 1384 of the collector 1313 and the reservoir 1342. At such a time, if the pressure differential in the reservoir 1342 relative to ambient pressure is negative enough to overcome the surface tension maintaining the meniscus at the gate or port, the meniscus will break free from the gate or port wall, forming one or more gas bubbles that are released into the reservoir 1342 in a volume sufficient to equalize the reservoir pressure relative to ambient.

As discussed above, when the air admitted to (or otherwise present in) storage chamber 1342 becomes under high pressure relative to the surroundings (e.g., due to a drop in ambient pressure, which may occur when a window in a moving vehicle is opened, when a train or vehicle leaves a tunnel, etc., in an airplane cabin or other high altitude location, or due to an increase in internal pressure in storage chamber 1342, which may occur due to localized heating, mechanical pressures that distort the shape and thereby reduce the volume of storage chamber 1342), the above process may be reversed. Liquid enters secondary passage 1384 of collector 1313 through a gate or port, and a meniscus forms at the leading edge of the column of liquid entering secondary passage 1384, preventing air from bypassing the flow of liquid. If the high pressure within storage chamber 1342 later drops, maintaining this meniscus due to the presence of the microfluidic features described above allows the column of liquid to be drawn back into the storage chamber, optionally until the meniscus reaches the gate or port. If the pressure differential is sufficiently favorable to the pressure within the reservoir relative to the ambient pressure, the bubble formation process described above occurs until the pressures equalize. In this manner, the collector functions as a reversible overflow volume to receive liquid vaporizable material forced out of the reservoir under temporary conditions of higher reservoir pressure relative to the ambient, and allows at least a portion (and preferably all or most) of this overflow volume to be returned to the reservoir for subsequent delivery to the atomizer for conversion into an inhalable form.

Depending on the embodiment, the reservoir 1342 may or may not be connected to the wicking element 1362 via the secondary passageway 1384. In embodiments in which the second end of the secondary passageway 1384 leads to the wicking element 1362, any vaporizable material 1302 that may exit the secondary passageway 1384 at the second end (opposite the first end that defines the contact point to the reservoir 1342) may further saturate the wicking element 1362.

The storage chamber 1342 may optionally be positioned closer to the end of the reservoir 1340 near the mouthpiece region 1330. The overflow volume 1344 may be positioned closer to the end of the reservoir 1340, for example, between the storage chamber 1342 and the heating element 1350, closer to the heating element 1350. The exemplary embodiment shown in the figures should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter with respect to the location of the various components disclosed herein. For example, the overflow volume 1344 may be positioned at the top, middle, or bottom of the cartridge 1320. The location and positioning of the storage chamber 1342 may be adjusted relative to the location of the overflow volume 1344 by one or more modifications, such that the storage chamber 1342 may be positioned at the top, middle, or bottom of the cartridge 1320.

In one implementation, when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is filled to capacity, the volume of liquid vaporizable material may be equal to the internal volume of the storage chamber 1342 plus the overflow volume 1344 (which in some examples may be the volume of the secondary passage 1384 between the gate or port connecting the secondary passage 1384 to the storage chamber 1342) plus the outlet of the secondary passage 1384. In other words, a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter may be initially filled with liquid vaporizable material such that all or at least a portion of the internal volume of the collector is filled with liquid vaporizable material. In such an example, the liquid vaporizable material is delivered to the atomizer as needed for delivery to the user. The delivered liquid vaporizable material is drawn from the storage chamber 1342, which may draw the liquid in the secondary passage 1384 of the collector 1313 back into the storage chamber 1342. This is because air cannot enter through the secondary passageway 1384 due to a meniscus maintained by the microfluidic properties of the secondary passageway 1384, which prevents air from flowing past the liquid vaporizable material in the secondary passageway 1384. This occurs after enough liquid vaporizable material has been delivered from the reservoir 1342 to the atomizer (e.g., for vaporization and user inhalation) to draw the original volume of the collector 1313 into the reservoir 1342. That is, as more liquid vaporizable material is used, air bubbles may be released through a gate or port between the secondary passageway 1384 and the reservoir 1342 to equalize the pressure within the reservoir 1342. If the air thus entering the reservoir becomes high pressure relative to the surroundings, the liquid vaporizable material will move out of the reservoir 1342, through the gate or port, and into the secondary passageway until the high pressure condition no longer exists in the reservoir, at which point the liquid vaporizable material in the secondary passageway 1384 may be drawn back into the reservoir 1342.

In certain embodiments, the overflow volume 1344 is large enough to contain, optionally up to about 100% of the percentage of vaporizable material 1302 stored in the storage chamber 1342. In one embodiment, the collector 1313 is configured to contain at least 6% to 25% of the volume of vaporizable material 1302 storable in the storage chamber 1342. Other ranges are possible.

The collector 1313 structure may be configured, configured, shaped, fabricated, or positioned in the overflow volume 1344 to have different shapes and characteristics to allow the overflow portion of the vaporizable material 1302 to be at least temporarily received, contained, or stored in the overflow volume 1344 in a controlled manner (e.g., by capillary pressure) to prevent the vaporizable material 1302 from leaking from the cartridge 1320 or overly saturating the wicking element 1362. It will be understood that the above description referring to a secondary passageway is not intended to be limited to a single such secondary passageway 1384. One, or optionally two or more, secondary passageways may be connected to the storage chamber 1342 via one or more gates or ports. In some implementations of the present subject matter, a single gate or port may be connected to multiple secondary passageways, or a single secondary passageway may split into two or more secondary passageways to provide additional overflow volume or other benefits.

In some implementations of the present subject matter, the vent 1318 can connect the overflow volume 1344 to an air flow passage 1338 that ultimately leads to the ambient air environment outside the cartridge 1320. This vent 1318 can allow a path for air or bubbles formed or trapped within the collector 1313 to escape through the vent 1318, for example, during a second pressure condition when the secondary passage 1384 fills with an overflow of vaporizable material 1302.

According to some embodiments, the vent 1318 can act as a reverse vent during the transition from the second pressure state back to the first pressure state when the overflow of vaporizable material 1302 returns from the overflow volume 1344 to the storage chamber 1342, thereby equalizing the pressure within the cartridge 1320. In this implementation, because the ambient pressure is greater than the internal pressure of the cartridge 1320, ambient air can flow through the vent 1318 into the secondary passage 1384, effectively helping to push the vaporizable material 1302 temporarily stored in the overflow volume 1344 in the reverse direction back to the storage chamber 1342.

In one or more embodiments, the secondary passageway 1384 in the first pressure state can contain air. In the second pressure state, vaporizable material 1302 can enter the secondary passageway 1384, for example, through an opening (i.e., a vent) at the interface between the reservoir chamber 1342 and the overflow volume 1344. As a result, air in the secondary passageway 1384 can be displaced and exit through the vent 1318. In some embodiments, the vent 1318 can act as or include a control valve (e.g., a selectively osmotic membrane, a microfluidic gate, etc.) that allows air to exit the overflow volume 1344 but prevents vaporizable material 1302 from exiting the secondary passageway 1384 to the airflow passageway 1338. As previously mentioned, the vent 1318 may function as an air exchange port, allowing air to enter and exit the collector 1313, for example, when the collector 1313 fills during a negative pressure event and empties after the negative pressure event (i.e., during the transition between the first and second pressure states described above).

Thus, the vaporizable material 1302 may be stored in the collector 1313 until the pressure in the cartridge 1320 stabilizes (e.g., until the pressure returns to ambient or reaches a specified equilibrium) or until the vaporizable material 1302 is removed from the overflow volume 1344 (e.g., by vaporization in an atomizer). Thus, the level of vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow volume 1344 can be controlled by managing the flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313 as ambient pressure changes. In one or more implementations, the overflow of vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342 into the overflow volume 1344 can be reversed or reversible in response to detected changes in the environment (e.g., when a pressure event causing the overflow of vaporizable material 1302 subsides or ends).

As noted above, in some implementations of the present subject matter, when the internal pressure of the cartridge 1320 becomes relatively lower than ambient pressure (e.g., when returning from the aforementioned second pressure state to the first pressure state), the flow of vaporizable material 1302 can be reversed to cause the vaporizable material 1302 to flow back from the overflow volume 1344 to the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir 1340. Thus, depending on the implementation, the overflow volume 1344 can be configured to temporarily accommodate an overflow portion of the vaporizable material 1302 during the second pressure state. Depending on the implementation, during or after the reversal to the first pressure state, at least a portion of the overflow of vaporizable material 1302 held in the collector 1313 is returned to the storage chamber 1342.

To control the flow of vaporizable material 1302 within cartridge 1320, in other implementations of the present subject matter, collector 1313 can optionally include an absorbent or semi-absorbent material (e.g., a material with sponge-like properties) to permanently or semi-permanently collect or contain overflow of vaporizable material 1302 passing through secondary passageway 1384. In exemplary embodiments in which collector 1313 includes an absorbent material, backflow of vaporizable material 1302 from overflow volume 1344 to reservoir 1342 may not be practical or possible compared to embodiments in which collector 1313 is implemented without (or with little) absorbent material. Thus, the reversibility or rate of reversibility of vaporizable material 1302 into reservoir 1342 can be controlled by including more or less density or volume of absorbent material in collector 1313 or by controlling the texture of the absorbent material, with such properties resulting in higher or lower absorption rates, either immediately or over a longer period of time.

The body of cartridge 1320 may be made of two connectable (or separable) parts, such as a first part (e.g., upper housing) and a second part (e.g., lower housing), that fit together via a top-down architecture implementation model or assembly process. This separable architecture simplifies the assembly and manufacturing process, eliminating the need to assemble or construct multiple smaller parts to form a larger part. Instead, larger parts (e.g., first and second parts) may be connected to form, for example, an external cartridge feature (e.g., siding) and smaller internal cartridge components (e.g., opposing rib-shaped elements that form one or more of collector 1313, reservoir 1340, storage chamber 1342, overflow volume 1344, etc.).

The heating element may be positioned within a cavity or housing mounted between the first and second portions of the body of the cartridge 1320. In one example, a sponge or other absorbent material may be positioned in the mouthpiece region to collect excess liquid vaporizable material passing through the airflow passage of the mouthpiece region 1330 (e.g., condensation of vaporized material and/or water vapor to form larger droplets that may cause an unpleasant sensation if ingested during inhalation). Assembly or disassembly of additional components (e.g., the heating element 1350 or sponge) may thus be performed in a simple and efficient manner, which, in the exemplary implementations disclosed herein, may not require numerous machines or assembly automation parts to configure the cartridge 1320 from a small set of components into an integrated, separable, two-piece housing.

The separable two-piece structures described herein may provide one or more of the following exemplary advantages or improvements over alternative embodiments: reduced part count, reduced assembly or manufacturing costs, no or reduced tooling requirements, no or limited deep, fragile, low-draft tooling cores, and a relatively shallow rib structure. Depending on the implementation, ultrasonic or laser welding techniques can be utilized to create a solid-state weld between the first and second portions of the cartridge 1320.

Various implementations are disclosed that may utilize a collector 1313 that is configured, designed, manufactured, fabricated, or constructed completely or partially independently of the cartridge 1320 housing. It is noteworthy that the disclosed implementations are provided as examples. In alternative implementations or embodiments, the collector 1313 may be formed with a structure that is, at least structurally, semi-dependent or completely independent from the structure of the other components of the cartridge 1320.

In certain interchangeable implementations, various embodiments or types of collector 1313 may be inserted or enclosed, for example, in a standardized cartridge 1320 housing. As provided in further detail herein, some of the primary functions for controlling the flow of vaporizable material 1302 within the cartridge 1320 can be achieved by manipulating the collector 1313 structure or its material properties, so cost savings and other efficiencies and advantages may be derived from having a structure that allows for interchangeable collector 1313 models that can be adapted to, for example, different cartridge housings.

Referring to Figures 4C and 4B, for example, in some implementations, instead of the separable two-piece structure shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the cartridge 1320 may have a cartridge housing formed of 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 insertably receive at least the collector 1313. In one embodiment, the second end of the cartridge housing may function as a mouthpiece with an orifice or opening. The orifice or opening may be located opposite the receiving end of the cartridge housing in which the collector 1313 may be insertably received. In some embodiments, the opening may be connected to the receiving end by an airflow passage 1338, which may extend, for example, through the body of the cartridge 1320 and the collector 1313. As with other cartridge embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, the atomizer, for example, those including wicking and heating elements discussed elsewhere herein, may be positioned adjacent to or at least partially within the airflow passage 1338 such that an inhalable form of a liquid vaporizable material, or optionally a precursor in inhalable form, may be emitted from the atomizer through the airflow passage 1338 and into air flowing toward the orifice or opening.

5A and 5B, exemplary planar side views of a single-gate, single-channel collector 1313 are shown. In these exemplary embodiments, a gate 1102 can be provided at an opening facing a first portion (e.g., top) of the collector 1313 where the collector 1313 contacts or communicates with a reservoir chamber 1342 (see also FIGS. 3A and 3B, discussed above). The gate 1102 can dynamically connect the reservoir chamber 1342 to an overflow volume 1344 formed by a second portion (e.g., middle) of the collector 1313.

In one embodiment, the second portion of the collector 1313 may have a ribbed or multi-fin shaped structure that forms an overflow channel 1104 that spirals, tapers, or slopes in a direction away from the gate 1102 and toward the air exchange port 1106, as shown in FIG. 5A, to move the vaporizable material 1302 toward the air exchange port 1106 after the vaporizable material 1302 passes through the gate 1102 and enters the overflow volume 1344. The air exchange port 1106 may be connected to the ambient air through an air path or airflow passage connected to a mouthpiece. This air path or airflow passage is not explicitly shown in FIG. 5A.

In some implementations, the collector 1313 is configured with a central opening or tunnel through which an airflow channel leading to the mouthpiece is implemented, as provided in further detail below (see, e.g., opening 1100 in FIG. 5D ). The airflow channel may be connected to the air exchange port 1106 such that the volume within the overflow passage of the collector 1313 is connected to ambient air via the air exchange port 1106 and to the volume of the reservoir 1342 via the gate 1102. Thus, according to one or more embodiments, the gate 1102 may be utilized as a fluid control mechanism to primarily control the flow of liquid and air between the overflow volume 1344 and the reservoir 1342. The air exchange port 1106 may be utilized to primarily control the flow of air (and possibly liquid) between the overflow volume 1344 and the air path leading to the mouthpiece, for example. The overflow channel 1104 may be diagonal, vertical, or horizontal relative to the elongated body of the cartridge 1320.

The vaporizable material 1302 may have at least an initial interface with the collector 1313 via the gate 1102 at the time the cartridge 1320 is filled. This is because the initial interface between the vaporizable material 1302 and the gate 1102 prevents, for example, air trapped in the overflow channel 1104 from potentially entering the area of the cartridge where the vaporizable material 1302 is stored (e.g., the storage chamber 1342). Furthermore, such an interface may initiate a first capillary interaction between the vaporizable material 1302 and the wall of the overflow channel 1104 at equilibrium, thereby achieving or maintaining equilibrium by allowing a limited amount of the vaporizable material 1302 to flow into the overflow channel 1104.

The equilibrium state refers to a state in which vaporizable material 1302 neither flows into nor out of overflow volume 1344, or such forward or reverse flow is negligible. In at least some embodiments, when the internal pressure of reservoir 1342 is approximately equal to ambient pressure, the capillary action (or interaction) between the walls of overflow channel 1104 and vaporizable material 1302 is such that a state of equilibrium is maintained when cartridge 1320 is in the first pressure state.

Establishment of equilibrium and further capillary interaction between vaporizable material 1302 and the walls of overflow channel 1104 can be established or configured by adapting or adjusting the volume size of overflow channel 1104 along the length of the channel. As provided in further detail herein, the diameter of overflow channel 1104 (used herein to generally refer to a measure of the size of the cross-sectional area of overflow channel 1104, including implementations of the present subject matter in which the overflow channel does not have a circular cross-section) can contract at predetermined intervals or points, or across the entire length of the channel, in response to changes in pressure to enable sufficiently strong capillary interaction to allow forward or reverse flow of vaporizable material 1302 into or out of collector 1313, and further increase the overall volume of the overflow channel while maintaining a gate point for meniscus formation and preventing air from passing through the liquid in overflow channel 1104.

As provided in further detail herein, the diameter of the overflow channel 1104 may be sufficiently small or narrow so that the combination of surface tension forces caused by cohesion within the vaporizable material 1302 and wetting forces between the vaporizable material 1302 and the walls of the overflow channel 1104 may act to cause the formation of a meniscus that separates the liquid from the air in a dimension transverse to the axis of flow within the overflow channel 1104, such that the air and liquid cannot pass through one another. It will be understood that because the meniscus has an inherent curvature, reference to a dimension transverse to the direction of flow does not imply that the gas-liquid interface is planar in this or any other dimension.

The wicking element 1362 may be in thermal or thermodynamic communication with the heating element 1350 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3B and 5B) to induce vapor generation from heating of the vaporizable material 1302, as described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. Alternatively, the air exchange port 1106 may be configured to provide an escape route for gas but prevent the flow of vaporizable material 1302 from the overflow channel 1104.

5A and 5B, the forward or reverse flow of vaporizable material 1302 within collector 1313 can be controlled (e.g., enhanced or reduced) by implementing appropriate structures (e.g., microchannel configurations) that introduce or utilize capillary properties that may exist between vaporizable material 1302 and the retaining walls of overflow channel 1104. For example, factors related to the length, diameter, interior surface texture (e.g., roughness vs. smoothness), protrusions, directional taper of the channel structure, constrictions, or materials used to configure or coat the surfaces of gate 1102, overflow channel 1104, or air exchange port 1106 can positively or negatively affect the rate at which liquid is drawn into or moves through overflow channel 1104 by capillary action or other forces acting on cartridge 1320.

Depending on the implementation, one or more of the factors described above can be used to control the displacement of vaporizable material 1302 in overflow channel 1104 as it collects in the channel structure of collector 1313, introducing a desired degree of reversibility. Thus, in some embodiments, the flow of vaporizable material 1302 to collector 1313 can be fully reversible or semi-reversible in response to changes in pressure conditions inside or outside cartridge 1320, selectively controlling the various factors described above.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5A, and 5B, in one or more embodiments, the collector 1313 may be formed, configured, or configured to have a single-channel, single-vent structure. In such embodiments, the overflow channel 1104 may be a continuous passageway, tube, channel, or other structure connecting the gate 1102 to an air exchange port 1106, optionally located near the wicking element 1362 (see also, e.g., FIGS. 3A and 3B, which show a single, elongated overflow channel 1104 within the overflow volume 1344). Thus, in such embodiments, the vaporizable material 1302 can enter and exit the collector 1313 from the gate 1102 through a single configured channel, where the vaporizable material 1302 flows in a first direction when the collector 1313 is filled and in a second direction when the collector 1313 is drained.

To help maintain equilibrium or, depending on the implementation, to control the flow of vaporizable material 1302 within overflow channel 1104, the shape and structural configuration of overflow channel 1104, gate 1102, or air exchange port 1106 may be adapted or modified to balance the flow rate of vaporizable material 1302 within overflow channel 1104 at different pressure conditions. In one example, overflow channel 1104 may be tapered such that the tapered end (i.e., the end with the smaller opening or diameter) leads into gate 1102.

In one implementation, the non-tapered end (i.e., the end of the overflow channel 1104 with a larger opening or diameter) can lead to the air exchange port 1106, which can be connected to the ambient environment outside the cartridge 1320 or to an airflow path through which the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 is delivered to the mouthpiece (see, e.g., vent 1318 connected to airflow passage 1338 in FIG. 3A). In one embodiment, the non-tapered end can also lead to an area near the wick housing, such that as the vaporizable material 1302 exits the overflow channel 1104, it can be used to saturate the wicking element 1362.

Depending on the implementation, a tapered channel structure may reduce or increase flow restriction into the collector 1313. For example, in embodiments in which the overflow channel 1104 tapers toward the gate 1102, a favorable capillary pressure toward reverse flow is induced in the overflow channel 1104, such that when the pressure conditions change (e.g., when a negative pressure event resolves or subsides), the direction of flow of the vaporizable material 1302 is out of the collector 1313 and into the reservoir 1342. In particular, implementing the overflow channel 1104 with a smaller opening may impede the free flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into the collector 1313. The non-tapered configuration of the overflow channel 1104 in the direction toward the air exchange port 1106 provides efficient storage of the vaporizable material 1302 within the collector 1313 during the second pressure condition (e.g., a negative pressure condition) as the vaporizable material 1302 flows from the narrower portion of the overflow channel 1104 to the larger volume portion of the overflow channel 1104 into the collector 1313.

Thus, the diameter and shape of the collector structure 1313 can be implemented to control the flow of vaporizable material 1302 through the gate 1102 and into the overflow channel 1104 at a desired rate during the second pressure condition (e.g., a negative pressure event) in a manner that prevents the vaporizable material 1302 from flowing too freely into the collector 1313 (e.g., above a certain flow rate or threshold) and also facilitates backflow into the reservoir 1342 during the first pressure condition (e.g., when the negative pressure event is relieved). It is worth noting that in one embodiment, the combined interaction between the vent 1002, the overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313 that defines the overflow volume 1344, and the air exchange port 1106 provides adequate venting of air bubbles that may be introduced into the cartridge due to various environmental factors as well as the controlled flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the overflow channel 1104.

Mouthpiece Embodiment Referring to FIG. 5B (see also FIGS. 4A and 4B), in some embodiments, the portion of the cartridge 1320 including the reservoir 1342 may also be configured to include a mouthpiece that a user can utilize to inhale the vaporized vaporizable material 1302. An airflow passage 1338 may extend through the reservoir 1342, thereby connecting the vaporization chambers. Depending on the implementation, the airflow passage 1338 may be, for example, a straw-shaped structure or a hollow cylinder that forms a channel inside the reservoir 1342 through which the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can pass. The airflow passage may have a circular or at least approximately circular cross-sectional shape, although it will be understood that other cross-sectional shapes of the airflow passage are within the scope of the present disclosure.

A first end of the airflow passage 1338 may connect to an opening in the first "mouthpiece" end of the reservoir 1342, through which the user can inhale the vaporized vaporizable material 1302. As provided in further detail herein, a second end of the airflow passage 1338 (opposite the first end) may be received in an opening in the first end of the collector 1313. Depending on the implementation, the second end of the airflow passage 1338 may extend completely or partially through the collector 1313 and through a receiving cavity that connects to a wick housing in which the wicking element 1362 may be housed.

In some configurations, the airflow passage 1338 may be an integral part of a monolithically molded mouthpiece that includes a reservoir 1342 through which the airflow passage 1338 extends. In other configurations, the airflow passage 1338 may be a separate structure that may be separately inserted into the reservoir 1342. In some configurations, the airflow passage 1338 may be a structural extension of the body of the collector 1313 or cartridge 1320, for example, extending inward from an opening in the mouthpiece portion.

Without limitation, a variety of different structural configurations may be possible for connecting the mouthpiece (and the airflow passage 1338 therein) to the air exchange port 1106 of the collector 1313. As provided herein, the collector 1313 may be inserted into the body of the cartridge 1320, which may also function as the reservoir 1342. In some embodiments, the airflow passage 1338 may be configured as an internal sleeve that is an integral part of the monolithic cartridge body, such that an opening at the first end of the collector 1313 may receive the first end of the sleeve structure that forms the airflow passage 1338.

Certain embodiments may include a vaporizer cartridge including a dual-barrel mouthpiece connected to two airflow passages. Such embodiments may deliver a larger dose of vaporized vaporizable material compared to a single-barrel mouthpiece. Depending on the implementation, a dual-barrel mouthpiece may also advantageously provide a smoother and more satisfying inhalation experience.

4A-5H , depending on the implementation, various factors can be considered to help monitor and control the forward and reverse flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of collector 1313. Some of these factors can include configuring the capillary drive of the fluid vent , referred to herein as gate 1102. The capillary drive of gate 1102 may be less than the capillary drive of wicking element 1362, for example. Additionally, the flow resistance of collector 1313 may be greater than that of wicking element 1362. Overflow channel 1104 may have a smooth or wavy inner surface to control the flow rate of vaporizable material 1302 through collector 1313. The overflow channel 1104 may be formed with a tapered curve to provide appropriate capillary interactions and forces that restrict flow through the gate 1102 into the overflow volume 1344 to facilitate backflow through the gate 1102 during a first pressure state, and restrict flow out of the overflow volume 1344 during a second pressure state.

Additional modifications to the shape and structure of the collector 1313 components can be useful for further adjusting or fine-tuning the flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313. For example, a smoothly curved spiral channel configuration (i.e., as opposed to a channel with sharp bends or edges) as shown in FIGS. 5A-5H may allow for additional features, such as one or more vents, channels, openings, or constriction structures, to be included in the collector 1313 at predetermined intervals along the overflow channel 1104. As provided in further detail herein, such additional features, structures, or configurations may be useful for providing a high level of flow control of vaporizable material 1302, for example, along the overflow channel 1104 or through the gate 1102.

Regardless of the various structural elements and embodiments discussed throughout this disclosure, it is worth noting that certain features and functionality (e.g., capillary interactions between various components) may be implemented in the collector 1313 structure to assist in controlling the flow of vaporizable material 1302 through, for example, (1) a single-vent, single-channel structure; (2) a single-vent, multi-channel structure; or (3) a multi-vent, multi-channel structure.

With reference to Figures 4C, 5A, 5C, 5D, and 5E, exemplary structural configurations of collector 1313 according to certain variations are presented. As shown, fully or partially inclined helical surfaces can be implemented to define one or more sides of the interior volume of overflow channel 1104 of collector 1313, allowing vaporizable material 1302 to flow freely through overflow channel 1104 due to capillary pressure (or gravity) upon entering overflow channel 1104. One or more, optionally central, channels or tunnels, such as central tunnel 1100, may be configured through the longitudinal height of collector 1313 having two opposing ends.

At a first end, a central shaft or central tunnel 1100 passing through the collector structure 1313 may interact with or connect to a housing region in which a wicking element 1362 or atomizer may be positioned. At a second end, the central tunnel 1100 may interact with, connect to, or receive one end of a duct or tube that forms an airflow passage 1338 in the mouthpiece portion of the cartridge 1320. The first end of the airflow passage 1338 may be connected (e.g., by insertion) to the second end of the central tunnel 1100. The second end of the airflow passage 1338 may include an opening or orifice formed in the mouthpiece region.

According to one or more implementations, vaporized vaporizable material 1302 produced by the atomizer can enter a first end of a central tunnel 1100 within the collector 1313, pass through the central tunnel 1100, and exit from a second end of the central tunnel 1100 to a first end of an airflow passage 1338. The vaporized vaporizable material 1302 may then travel through the airflow passage 1338 and exit through a mouthpiece opening formed at the second end of the airflow passage 1338.

The collector 1313 may be configured as a separate component with a structure that can be inserted into the body of the cartridge 1320 (see, for example, Figures 4A, 5B, 5C-5E). Upon insertion, an airtight seal may be formed between the inner wall of the shell body of the cartridge 1320 and the outer edge of the rib-like structure of the collector 1313, which forms a spirally inclined surface. In other words, the three walls of the overflow channel 1104, surrounded by the surface of the inner wall of the shell body of the cartridge 1320, form the overflow channel 1104 when the collector 1313 is inserted into the body of the cartridge 1320.

Thus, the overflow channel 1104 may be formed by the inner wall of the body of the cartridge 1320 surrounding the inner wall of the rib-like structure. As shown, the gate 1102 may be positioned at one end of the overflow channel 1104, facing the storage chamber 1342, to control and provide for the entry and exit of vaporizable material 1302 into the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313. The air exchange port 1106 may be positioned facing the other end of the overflow channel 1104, preferably opposite the end at which the gate 1102 is positioned.

The gate 1102 can control the flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313. The air exchange port 1106 can control the flow of air into and out of the overflow channel 1104 via a connection path to ambient air to regulate the air pressure in the collector 1313 and in the reservoir 1342 of the cartridge 1320, as provided in further detail herein. In certain embodiments, the air exchange port 1106 can be configured to prevent vaporizable material 1302 that may have filled the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 (e.g., as a result of a negative pressure event) from exiting the overflow channel 1104.

In certain implementations, the air exchange port 1106 may be configured to direct the vaporizable material 1302 toward a path leading to the area where the wicking element 1362 is housed. This implementation may help to avoid leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 into the air flow passageway (e.g., the central tunnel 1100) leading to the mouthpiece, for example, during a negative pressure event. In some implementations, the air exchange port 1106 may have a membrane that allows gaseous material (e.g., air bubbles) to enter and exit, but prevents the vaporizable material 1302 from entering or exiting the collector 1313 through the air exchange port 1106.

5C-5H, the flow rate of vaporizable material 1302 entering and exiting collector 1313 through gate 1102 may be directly related to the volumetric pressure within overflow channel 1104. Thus, the flow rate into and out of collector 1313 through gate 1102 can be controlled by manipulating the hydraulic diameter of overflow channel 1104, and reducing the overall volume of overflow channel 1104 (e.g., either uniformly or by introducing multiple constriction points) can increase the pressure within overflow channel 1104 and adjust the flow rate into collector 1313. Thus, in at least one implementation, the hydraulic diameter of overflow channel 1104 can be reduced (e.g., narrowed, pinched, constricted, or restricted) either uniformly or by introducing one or more constriction points 1111a along the length of the helical path of overflow channel 1104.

By way of example, FIGS. 5C-5E show two partial-length and three full-length levels configured on one or more sides of the collector 1313, with each full-length level having, for example, three constriction points 1111a on the side shown in the figures. It is worth noting that in different implementations, more or fewer levels or constriction points 1111a can be implemented, defined, configured, or introduced to adjust the volumetric pressure within the collector 1313. The constriction points 1111a are prominently shown by circles at mid-levels of the collector 1313 for illustrative purposes.

The constriction points 1111a may be formed or introduced along the length of the overflow channel 1104 in a variety of ways and shapes. Below, exemplary embodiments with different constriction points or shapes are disclosed to better illustrate certain features. However, it should be noted that these exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter to any particular configuration or shape.

Referring to FIG. 5C, in one exemplary implementation, the constriction point 1111a may be formed by a ridge, raised edge, protrusion, or protrusion (hereinafter referred to as a "protrusion") extending from the ceiling, floor, or sidewall (or any or all such) surfaces of the overflow channel 1104 (i.e., the blades of the collector 1313). The shape of the protrusion may be defined as a ridge, finger, prong, fin, edge, or other shape that restricts the cross-sectional area transverse to the flow direction within the overflow channel. In the illustration of FIG. 5C, the cross-sectional side view of the protrusion is shown as resembling, for example, a shark fin shape, with the distal end of the protrusion tapering toward the edge.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the pointed or cantilevered edges of the shark fin shape may be rounded. However, in other embodiments, the cantilevered edges may taper to a sharp end. The sharpness, size, relative position, and placement frequency of the protrusions within the overflow channel 1104 can be manipulated to further fine-tune the tendency for a meniscus to form within the overflow channel 1104, separating the liquid and air.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5C, the protrusion may have a rounded surface on one side and a flat surface on the other side. The rounded surface of the protrusion may face (i.e., point toward) the outward flow of vaporizable material 1302 (i.e., flow out of collector 1313 and into storage chamber 1342), while the flat surface of the protrusion may face the inward flow of vaporizable material 1302 through gate 1102 (i.e., flow into collector 1313 and out of storage chamber 1342).

As mentioned above, in different implementations, the formation of protrusions along the overflow channel 1104 can be manipulated in number, size, shape, location, and frequency to fine-tune the hydraulic flow rate of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313. For example, if it is instead desirable to maintain the inflow flow of the overflow channel 1104 at a higher velocity than the outflow flow, the protrusions may be shaped to have a flat surface facing the outflow flow and a rounded surface facing the inflow flow to facilitate the formation and maintenance of a meniscus that resists the outward flow of liquid (e.g., away from the reservoir 1342) and to facilitate the meniscus breaking off from the side of the protrusion facing back toward the reservoir 1342. In this way, a series of such protrusions can function as a kind of "hydraulic ratchet" system in which the backflow of liquid into the reservoir is microfluidically promoted relative to the outward flow from the reservoir. This effect may be achieved, at least in part, by the relative tendency of the meniscus to break from the reservoir side of the protrusion relative to the opposite side.

Referring again to FIG. 5C , in one exemplary implementation, in addition to (or instead of) a protrusion extending from the floor or ceiling of the overflow channel 1104, several protrusions may extend from the inner wall of the overflow channel 1104. As shown more clearly in FIG. 5F , a protrusion can extend from the inner wall of the overflow channel 1104 at the same constriction point 1111a, with two additional protrusions extending from the floor and ceiling of the overflow channel 1104 to form a C-shaped constriction point 1111a. Because the hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104 is more constricted (i.e., narrower) at the constriction point 1111a shown in FIGS. 5D and 5F , the exemplary implementation shown in FIGS. 5D and 5F can more effectively tailor the microfluidic characteristics of the overflow channel 1104 to promote liquid flow back toward the reservoir 1342 relative to the implementation of FIG. 5C .

The protrusions formed along the overflow channel 1104 need not be uniform in shape, size, frequency, or symmetry. That is, depending on the implementation, different constriction points 1111a or 1111b may be implemented along the overflow channel 1104 with different sizes, designs, shapes, locations, or frequencies. In one example, the shape of the constriction point 1111a or 1111b may resemble the shape of the letter C with a rounded inner diameter. In some embodiments, instead of forming the inner diameter as a rounded C-shape, the inner wall of the constriction point may have a corner (e.g., a sharp angle) as shown in Figures 5F and 5G.

In some examples, the overflow channel 1104 may have protrusions at a first level extending from the ceiling of the overflow channel 1104, while at a second level the protrusions may extend from the floor of the overflow channel 1104. At a third level, for example, the protrusions may extend from the inner wall. Alternatives to the above implementations are possible by adjusting or varying the number of protrusions and the shape or positioning of the protrusions in different sequences or levels to help control the microfluidic effects on the bidirectional flow within the overflow channel 1104. In one example, the constriction points 1111a may be implemented, for example, at one or more (or all) levels, sides, or widths of the collector 1313.

With reference to Figures 5E and 5G, in addition to defining a constriction point 1111a along a longer length of the overflow channel 1104 or along a wider side of the collector 1313, one or more additional constriction points 1111b can be defined along a narrower side of the collector 1313. Thus, the exemplary implementation shown in Figures 5E and 5G can improve tuning of resistance to or facilitation of meniscus separation in a desired direction within the overflow channel 1104 compared to the implementation of Figure 5D, as the overall hydraulic diameter (or flow volume) of the overflow channel 1104 is further reduced by the addition of the additional constriction points 1111b.

Referring to Figures 5F and 5G, for greater clarity, each full level in the illustrated example may include, for example, three constriction points 1111a on each side in addition to two more constriction points 1111b. Thus, collector 1313 in Figure 5D may include a total of 18 constriction points, while collector 1313 in Figure 5E may include a total of 26 constriction points. In this example, the embodiment shown in Figure 5E provides improved (e.g., outward) microfluidic flow control due to enhanced capillary pressure at multiple constriction points 1111a and 1111b.

Referring to FIG. 5H, in some embodiments, gate 1102 may be configured to include an opening or aperture configuration having a tapered edge, lip, or flange that is flatter in one direction, similar to constriction point 1111a or 1111b. For example, the lip of the opening of gate 1102 may be shaped so that one side (e.g., the side facing reservoir 1342) is flat and the other side (e.g., the side facing away from reservoir 1342) is rounded. In such a configuration, the microfluidic forces promoting backflow into reservoir 1342 relative to flow away from reservoir 1342 may be enhanced because meniscus separation is easier on the less rounded side than on the more rounded side.

Thus, depending on the implementation and variations of the constriction point and the structure of the gate 1102, the resistance to the flow of vaporizable material 1302 from the collector 1313 may be higher than the resistance to the flow of vaporizable material 1302 into the collector 1313 and toward the storage chamber 1342. In certain implementations, the gate 1102 is configured to maintain a liquid seal such that a layer of vaporizable material 1302 is present in the medium where the storage chamber 1342 communicates with the overflow channel 1104 in the overflow volume 1344. The presence of the liquid seal can help maintain pressure equilibrium between the storage chamber 1342 and the overflow volume 1344 to facilitate a sufficient level of vacuum (e.g., partial vacuum) within the storage chamber 1342, thereby preventing the vaporizable material 1302 from being completely discharged into the overflow volume 1344 and preventing the wicking element 1362 from becoming properly saturated.

In one or more exemplary implementations, a single passage or channel in the collector 1313 may be connected to the reservoir 1342 through two vents, such that the two vents maintain a liquid seal regardless of the position of the cartridge 1320. Forming a liquid seal at the gate 1102 may also help prevent air in the collector 1313 from entering the reservoir 1342, even when the cartridge 1320 is held at an angle to the horizontal or positioned with the mouthpiece facing downward. This is because when air bubbles from the collector 1313 enter the reservoir, the pressure in the reservoir 1342 equalizes to that of the ambient pressure. That is, when ambient air flows into the reservoir 1342, any partial vacuum in the reservoir 1342 (e.g., resulting from the evacuation of vaporizable material 1302 from the wick supply 1368) is offset.

With reference to Figures 5I-5K, perspective views of alternative gate 1102 configurations for the collector 1313 structure are provided. These alternative configurations may offer advantages regarding management and control of the flow of air and/or liquid vaporizable material 1302. In some scenarios, when the empty space within the reservoir 1342 (i.e., the headspace above the vaporizable material 1302) contacts the gate 1102, the headspace vacuum may not be maintained. As a result, as previously described, the liquid seal established with the gate 1102 may be breached. This effect occurs because the gate 1102 is unable to maintain a fluid film when the collector 1313 is evacuated and the headspace contacts the gate 1102, potentially leading to a loss of partial headspace vacuum.

In certain embodiments, the headspace of the reservoir 1342 may be at ambient pressure, and if a hydrostatic offset exists between the gate 1102 and the atomizer of the cartridge 1320, the contents of the reservoir 1342 will be expelled into the atomizer, resulting in wick box flooding and leakage. To avoid leakage, one or more implementations can be implemented to remove the hydrostatic offset between the gate 1102 and the atomizer when the reservoir 1342 is nearly empty, maintaining the functionality of the gate 1102.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments of Figures 5I and 5J, a small dividing wall or maze-shaped structure 1190 can be configured around the gate 1102 to establish a high-drive connection between the gate 1102 and the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 to maintain a liquid seal at the gate 1102. In the example of Figure 5J, the moat structure 1190 is shown as a means to further improve the maintenance of a liquid seal at the gate 1102 in accordance with one or more implementations.

5L-5N show plan and close-up views of a control fluid gate 1103 in a collector 1313 structure, according to one or more implementations. As shown, the passage or overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313 may be connected to a reservoir 1342 via, for example, a multi-channel, V-shaped, or horn-shaped control fluid gate 1103, where the V-shaped control fluid gate 1103 includes at least two (and preferably three) openings connected to the reservoir 1342. As provided in further detail herein, a liquid seal at the control fluid gate 1103 can be maintained regardless of whether the cartridge 1320 is oriented vertically or horizontally.

As shown in FIG. 5L, on a first side of the control fluid gate 1103, a vent path AA may be formed to allow air bubbles to pass from the collector's overflow channel 1104 into the reservoir's storage chamber. On a second side, one or more high drive channels connected to the storage chamber may be implemented to facilitate pinch-off at a general location identified as pinch-off point 1122 to maintain a liquid seal that prevents premature venting of air bubbles from the overflow channel 1104 into the storage chamber, as well as to prevent undesired air from entering back into the overflow channel 1104 from the storage chamber.

Depending on the implementation, high drive channels 1109a and 1109b, shown by way of example on the right side of FIG. 5N, are preferably maintained in a sealed state due to capillary pressure exerted by liquid vaporizable material 1302 from the reservoir. First capillary channel 1105 and second capillary channel 1107 are formed on the opposite side (i.e., shown on the left side of FIG. 5L) and may be configured to have relatively low capillary drive (i.e., low drive channels) compared to high drive channels 1109a and 1109b, but still have sufficient capillary drive such that a liquid seal is maintained in both the high drive channel and the low drive channel at the first pressure state.

Thus, in the second pressure state (e.g., when the pressure in the reservoir is approximately equal to or greater than ambient air pressure), a liquid seal is maintained in all of the low and high drive channels, preventing air bubbles from entering the reservoir. Conversely, in the first pressure state (e.g., when the pressure in the reservoir is less than ambient air pressure), air bubbles forming in the overflow channel 1104 (e.g., entering through the air exchange port 1106), or more generally, the leading edge of the meniscus at the interface between the liquid vaporizable material and the air, may rise toward the control fluid gate 1103. When the meniscus reaches pinch-off point 1122, which is positioned between the low drive channels (i.e., first capillary channel 1105 and second capillary channel 1107) of overflow channel 1104 and high drive channels 1109a and 1109b, air is preferentially directed through second capillary channel 1107 due to the higher capillary resistance present in high drive channels 1109a and 1109b.

When the air bubble passes from the first capillary channel 1105 through the second capillary channel 1107 of the control fluid gate 1103, the air bubble enters the reservoir chamber, equilibrating the pressure in the reservoir chamber with the pressure of the ambient air outside the cartridge. Thus, the air exchange port 1106, in combination with the control fluid gate 1103, allows ambient air to enter through the overflow channel 1104 and pass into the reservoir chamber until an equilibrium pressure state is established between the reservoir chamber and the ambient air. As discussed above, this process may be referred to as a pressure equalization event, which leads to venting of the reservoir. Once an equilibrium pressure state is established (e.g., transitioning from the second pressure state to the first pressure state), a liquid seal is re-established at the pinch-off point 1122 due to the presence of vaporizable material in both the high drive channels 1109a and 1109b and the low drive channels (i.e., the first capillary channel 1105 and the second capillary channel 1107), which is supplied by the liquid vaporizable material 1302 stored in the reservoir chamber.

Figures 5O through 5X show snapshots of the flow of air 1303 collected by the exemplary collector 1313 of Figures 5L through 5N being managed to accommodate proper ventilation as the meniscus 1304 of the vaporizable material 1302 recedes.

Figure 5O shows the receding meniscus 1304, where the partial vacuum in the headspace increases in strength as vaporizable material 1302 is removed from the reservoir into the wick. The partial vacuum in the headspace was at a maximum when the air 1303 reached the minimum geometry of the overflow channel 1104 at the end of the constriction point 1111a before the control fluid gate 1103. This is sufficient to overcome the capillary drive of the meniscus 1304 and move it beyond the end of the constriction point 1111a back into the collector overflow channel 1104, where it experiences the maximum pressure differential dictated by the geometry.

Figure 5P shows the meniscus 1304 exiting the first capillary-driven channel 1105 and beyond the pinch-off point 1122 of the control fluid gate 1103. The bubble 1303 continues to grow within the control fluid gate 1103.

Figure 5Q shows how meniscus 1304 forms multiple meniscuses that recede into second capillary channel 1107 and high drive channels 1109a and 1109b. The menisci are at the tightest curvature across their major planes; at these locations, the exhaust pressures of the three channels are equal and the three menisci recede simultaneously, as opposed to from only one channel. As the curvature increases as these menisci recede, the pressure differential maintained across them decreases, and the partial vacuum in the headspace continues to decrease.

Figure 5R shows the bubble 1303 continuing to fill the capillary channel. The taper of these channel geometries is such that as the meniscus continues to recede, the capillary actuation of the second capillary channel 1107 decreases at a greater rate than the capillary actuation of the high actuation channels 1109a and 1109b. The partial vacuum maintained in the headspace continues to decrease as the vaporizable material 1302 filling the second capillary channel 1107 and the high actuation channels 1109a and 1109b gradually decreases. When the exhaust pressure of the meniscus of the second capillary channel 1107 falls below the exhaust pressure of the high actuation channels 1109a and 1109b, this meniscus continues to recede, expelling vaporizable material back into the reservoir, while the other menisci remain stationary. The evacuation pressure associated with the receding contact angle of the second capillary channel 1107 may be lower than the flooding pressure associated with the advancing contact angle of the high drive channels 1109a and 1109b, replenishing them as shown.

Figure 5S shows how the secondary meniscus from the two menisci in each high drive channel 1109a and 1109b reaches a junction (the left apex of the channel divider 1112 between high drive channels 1109a and 1109b) where the two menisci merge into a single meniscus. This combined meniscus has a smaller curvature and therefore a lower capillary drive. The higher drive of the meniscus in second capillary channel 1107 can cause the system to react instantaneously by causing the meniscus in second capillary channel 1107 to become an advancing meniscus. Subsequent retraction of the meniscus in second capillary channel 1107 is likely to occur with the combined meniscus of high drive channels 1109a and 1109b held in place.

Figure 5T shows the combined meniscus of high drive channels 1109a and 1109b moving toward pinch-off point 1122. In a scenario where the reservoir is full of vaporizable material, the meniscus of second capillary channel 1107 will continue to recede, further reducing the partial vacuum in the headspace as its curvature decreases. When the partial vacuum drops below the advancing capillary pressure of the combined meniscus of high drive channels 1109a and 1109b, the combined meniscus will begin to advance again, driving control fluid gate 1103 to close. In a scenario where the reservoir is empty or nearly empty, the liquid seal at pinch-off point 1122 remains stable until it ruptures, connecting the headspace reservoir compartment with the ambient air via overflow channel 1104.

Figure 5U shows the combined meniscus of high actuation channels 1109a and 1109b closing control fluid gate 1103 at pinch-off point 1122. The combined meniscus advances until it reaches the apex of the corner of first capillary channel 1105 and second capillary channel 1107. This shape is designed to encourage the combined meniscus to split and fill both first capillary channel 1105 and second capillary channel 1107 with vaporizable material. The newly formed meniscus of first capillary channel 1105 can act to isolate ambient air in overflow channel 1104, thus re-establishing a partial headspace vacuum and ensuring that leakage through the liquid supply channels is mitigated.

Figures 5V-5X show the air bubble 1303 being released into the reservoir 1342. At this point, the pressure within the cartridge 1320 reaches a steady state as the air bubble 1303 trapped within the second capillary channel 1107 is expelled by the imbalance created by the advancing and receding meniscus. Vaporizable material 1302 then spills from the high drive channels 1109a and 1109b into the second capillary channel 1107. Therefore, the lengths of the high drive channels 1109a and 1109b may be adjusted, for example, shortened, to reduce the risk of trapped air bubbles.

In some implementations, the taper of the high drive channel can be designed to increase the drive force to the pinch-off point 1122. Considering the pinch-off point 1122 of the two advancing menisci forming a compound meniscus, the reservoir walls (i.e., cartridge body) and collector channel bottom can be configured to continue to provide drive, while the collector sidewalls provide the pinch-off location for the menisci. In one configuration, the net drive force of the advancing meniscus does not exceed the net drive force of the receding meniscus, thus keeping the system statically stable.

FIG. 6 illustrates a control fluid gate 6103 according to one or more implementations. The control fluid gate 6103 includes several differences compared to the control fluid gate 1103 that may improve performance under certain conditions with different vaporizable materials, particularly formulations that exhibit poor collector surface wetting behavior. Similar to the control fluid gate 1103, the control fluid gate 6103 includes a first capillary channel 6105, a second capillary channel 6107, and two high drive channels 6109a and 6109b. A channel divider 6112 separates the high drive channels 6109a and 6109b, but includes a sharper tip on the left side compared to the channel divider 1112. The sharper tip of the channel divider 6112 can provide improved performance when the two menisci merge to form a compound meniscus by reducing the tendency of the meniscus to pin (i.e., adhere) to the tip of the channel divider 6112. If the meniscus pins at the tip, the control fluid gate 6103 will not close, leading to a failure condition in which the partial headspace vacuum is no longer maintained within the reservoir chamber 6342. Another difference is that a portion of the top wall 6116 of the second capillary channel 6107 is lengthened to extend toward the high drive channel 6109a, and the angle of the top wall 6116 is reduced to near horizontal when the cartridge is held upright. The design of the second capillary channel 6107 also includes a curved bottom wall 6117 that points sharply upward to direct air bubbles into the reservoir chamber 6342. These design features may provide an increase in the speed at which the composite meniscus closes the control fluid gate 6103 during a pressure equalization event by reducing the likelihood that air bubbles will attempt to exit the high drive channel 6109a.

7-11H illustrate a control fluid gate 7103 according to one or more implementations. As shown in FIG. 7, the control fluid gate 7103 is formed in a portion of the collector 7313 and provides selective fluid communication between the reservoir 7342 and the overflow channel 7104. The control fluid gate 7103 includes a final constriction point 7111 at the end of the overflow channel 7104, a pinch-off point 7112, and a third constriction point 7113. The final constriction point 7111 of the overflow channel 7104 defines a portion of a first orifice, the pinch-off point 7112 defines the point where the meniscus seals the first capillary channel 7105 and the second capillary channel 7107, and the third constriction point 7113 defines a portion of a third orifice. Each orifice becomes fully formed when the collector 7313 is inserted into a cartridge housing (not shown). In other words, the portion of the first orifice forms the first orifice, the portion of the second orifice forms the second orifice, the portion of the third orifice forms the third orifice, and the high drive channel 7110 forms a capillary-driven passageway after insertion of the control fluid gate 7103 into the cartridge housing. Note that a "point" generally refers to a location on a device, and an orifice refers to an opening between one volume and another volume having a cross-sectional area.

The control fluid gate 7103 also includes a high drive channel 7110. FIG. 8A shows the general area defining the high drive channel 7110, which is marked with a stippled pattern. The high drive channel 7110 originates at a third constriction point 7113 and diverges outward between an upper wall 7116 and a lower wall 7117 toward a pinch-off point 7112. The upper wall 7116 extends from the third constriction point 7113 to the second capillary channel 7107, marked with a stippled pattern, as shown in FIG. 8B, while the lower wall 7117 extends from the third constriction point 7113 to the first capillary channel 7105, also marked with a stippled pattern, as shown in FIG. 8B. The high drive channel 7110 is a single channel without any obstructions that may affect the resealing of the control fluid gate 7103. An obstruction in the high drive channel 7110, especially for low-wettability vaporizable materials, can result in a failure condition in which the capillary drive of the meniscus is interrupted and the control fluid gate 7103 cannot be closed. The obstruction can be any feature protruding from the wall of the high drive channel 7110. The meniscus' affinity for the obstruction may be greater than the capillary drive, such that the vaporizable material effectively stops forward movement and becomes pinned to the obstruction. In a multi-channel control fluid gate with channel dividers, the channel divider itself can be considered an obstruction in one channel. The menisci formed in each channel can be pinned to the edge of the channel divider, preventing the menisci from coalescing into a single meniscus. This can provide greater reliability in the operation of the fluid control gate, especially for vaporizable material formulations that do not readily wet the channel surfaces (i.e., exhibit a high contact angle with the channel surfaces).

The exact location of each constriction point may vary slightly depending on the properties of the liquid (e.g., vaporizable material) and its interaction with the gate 7103 (e.g., contact angle, viscosity, surface energy, surface roughness, differential pressure, etc.). The control fluid gate 7103 is designed to function with a variety of vaporizable materials and in a variety of operating conditions. In some implementations, the liquid forms a contact angle of less than 90 degrees on the surface of the upper wall 7116 or the surface of the lower wall 7117. For example, the liquid may form a contact angle of 70 degrees to 90 degrees, including all subranges therebetween, on the surface of the upper wall 7116 or the surface of the lower wall 7117. More specifically, the liquid may form a contact angle of 75 degrees to 85 degrees, including all subranges therebetween, on the surface of the upper wall 7116 or the surface of the lower wall 7117.

Figure 8B shows the general areas defining the first capillary channel 7105 and the second capillary channel 7107. The first capillary channel 7105 begins at the final constriction point 7111 and terminates at the pinch-off point 7112. The second capillary channel 7107 begins at the pinch-off point 7112 and terminates at the reservoir 7342. Air from the overflow channel 7104 enters the first capillary channel 7105 through the final constriction point 7111 during a pressure equalization event and fills the high drive channel 7110. The third constriction point 7113 can be designed to have a similar cross-sectional area as the final constriction point 7111 to prevent air in the high drive channel 7110 from passing therethrough. In implementations, the final constriction point 7111 and the third constriction point 7113 have substantially equal cross-sectional areas. The orifice of the second capillary channel 7107 that opens into the reservoir chamber 7342 may have a larger cross-sectional area than each of the final constriction point 7111 and the third constriction point 7113. The cross-sectional area of the orifice is designed so that the meniscus preferentially passes the air bubble through the second capillary channel 7107 and into the reservoir chamber 7342.

The upper wall 7116 and lower wall 7117 of the high drive channel 7110 form a taper angle α with an apex near the third constriction point 7113, as shown in FIG. 9 . The taper angle α can range from 0 (i.e., the upper wall 7116 is parallel to the lower wall 7117) to 25 degrees, including all subranges therebetween. In an implementation, the taper angle is approximately 20 degrees. The taper angle can be selected to maintain capillary actuation below zero for all formulations. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that capillary actuation must be below zero for closure of the control fluid gate 7103 to occur because the curvature of the bubble growing within the reservoir means that the gauge pressure therein is below zero. The capillary actuation passage formed by the high drive channel 7110 can be generally conical in shape. The multichannel control fluid gate 1103 includes two high drive channels 1109a and 1109b, each tapering toward a pinch-off point 1122, while the control fluid gate 7103 includes a high drive channel 7110 that diverges toward a pinch-off point 7112. A channel divider 7118 separates the first capillary channel 7105 from the second capillary channel 7107. During a pressure equalization event, gas (e.g., air) can be introduced into the reservoir 7342 to reduce the partial vacuum created by removing the vaporizable material through the wick. The gas generally forms a bubble that travels along path AA. Capillary drive of the liquid (i.e., the vaporizable material) generally travels along path BB. After the bubble passes from the high drive channel 7110, the first capillary channel 7105 and the second capillary channel 7107 are sealed.

Figure 10 shows a collector 7313 that includes a control fluid gate 7103. While the gate 7103 is shown as being molded into the collector 7313, the gate 7103 can be implemented without being part of the collector. For example, the control fluid gate 7103 can be integrated into a separate component that interfaces with the collector. In other implementations, the control fluid gate 7103 is used without a collector. In another implementation, the control fluid gate 7103 is molded into the cartridge housing. When used without a collector, the control fluid gate 7103 serves the primary function of reducing the vacuum within the reservoir chamber by selectively allowing air to pass therethrough.

Figures 11A-11H show a series of pressure equalization events in which a gas bubble 7200 (e.g., an air bubble) is introduced into the reservoir 7342. In Figure 11A, the air passes through the final constriction point 7111 of the overflow channel 7104, forming a bubble 7200 within the high drive channel 7110. Once the bubble 7200 passes through the final constriction point 7111, it enters the larger volume of the high drive channel 7110, where it can grow rapidly. The bubble 7200 rises until it contacts the upper wall 7116 of the high drive channel 7110. In Figure 11B, the bubble 7200 grows to fill the high drive channel 7110 and is confined by the upper wall 7116 and the lower wall 7117. In Figure 11C, gas bubble 7200 has nearly filled high drive channel 7110, displacing the liquid (e.g., vaporizable material) previously contained therein through third constriction point 7113 and second channel 7107. In Figure 11D, gas bubble 7200 has completely filled high drive channel 7110 and is stopped by third constriction point 7113. Gas bubble 7200 now begins to flow through the second capillary channel toward reservoir 7342. In Figure 11E, gas bubble 7200 begins to enter reservoir 7342. In Figure 11F, gas bubble 7200 grows larger within reservoir 7342 as liquid enters high drive channel 7110 through third constriction point 7113 and begins to reseal control fluid gate 7103. In Figure 11G, the gas bubble 7200 exits the high drive channel 7110 through the second capillary channel 7107. In Figure 11H, the high drive channel 7110 seals the first capillary channel 7105 with liquid at the final constriction point 7111 of the overflow channel 7104, flooding the second channel 7107 with liquid after a pressure equalization event that releases the gas bubble 7200 from the first capillary channel 7105 through the second capillary channel 7107. In Figure 11H, the control fluid gate 7103 has been resealed (i.e., closed).

In an implementation, the control fluid gate 7103 is incorporated into a cartridge for a vaporizer that includes providing microfluidic pressure equalization. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having a reservoir 7342 configured to hold a vaporizable liquid. The control fluid gate 7103 includes a final constriction point 7111 fluidly connected to an ambient vent. Both the second capillary drive channel 7107 and the third constriction point 7113 are fluidly connected to the reservoir 7342. The control fluid gate 7103 also includes a high drive channel 7110 that originates at the third constriction point 7113 and extends outward toward the pinch-off point 7112. The high drive channel 7110 is configured to fluidly seal the first capillary channel 7105 after an equalization event releases a gas bubble 7200 into the reservoir 7342. The vaporizable liquid may include a nicotine formulation.

12A and 12B, an exemplary perspective side view and an exemplary planar side view of an embodiment of a single-vent, multi-channel collector 1200 structure are shown. As shown in FIG. 12A, the collector 1200 is formed with a single gate 1202 and multiple channels 1204(a)-1204(j). As shown in FIG. 12A, according to one or more implementations, the gate 1202 is positioned, for example, at the center or midpoint of the vertical width of the collector 1313, to allow vaporizable material 1302 to enter at least a first channel 1204(a) of the collector 1313 and gradually spread into and through additional channels 1204(b)-1204(j).

The location of the gate 1202 can vary, depending on the implementation, to the center, side, corner, or anywhere else along the length or width of the collector 1313. A single-vent, multi-channel collector 1200 structure can have the additional advantage that vaporizable material 1302 can enter through a single gate 1202 at a first flow rate and spread through multiple channels 1204(a)-1204(j) of the collector 1200 at a second flow rate (e.g., a rate faster than the first flow rate).

Advantageously, the single-gate, multi-channel collector 1200 structure allows for a controlled (e.g., restricted) flow of vaporizable material 1302 from the reservoir 1342 to the overflow volume 1344 (see FIG. 3A), and allows for less controlled (e.g., less restricted) flow once the vaporizable material 1302 enters the overflow volume 1344. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12B, for example, a multi-layer multi-channel structure may be implemented in which the flow of vaporizable material 1302 in a first set of channels 1204(a)-1204(f) is at a second rate and the flow of vaporizable material 1302 in a second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k) is at a third rate. The third rate may be faster or slower than the second rate.

12B, vaporizable material 1302 flows through gate 1202 at a first velocity, through channels 1204(a)-1204(f) at a second velocity, and through channels 1204(g)-1204(k) at a third velocity. In one or more embodiments, for example, the second velocity may be greater than both the first velocity and the third velocity, such that vaporizable material 1302 has a restricted flow through gate 1202, a slightly more restricted flow through the first set of channels (e.g., layer 1), and a relatively more restricted flow through the second set of channels (e.g., layer 2). This multi-layer configuration may help improve the flow rate through collector 1200 while maintaining a controllable restriction to the rapid flow of vaporizable material 1302 toward wicking element 1362 once vaporizable material 1302 enters collector 1200.

In the double-layer embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the first set of channels 1204(a)-1204(f) (e.g., layer 1) may have a reversible configuration such that vaporizable material 1302 collected in the first set of channels flows back to reservoir 1340. Conversely, the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k) (e.g., layer 2) may not have a reversible configuration. In such an embodiment, due to the proximity of the second set of channels to wicking element 1362, vaporizable material 1302 is drawn primarily from the second set of channels and subsequently from the first set of channels (e.g., layer 1, which functions as a reserve compartment). As discussed above, having both reversible and non-reversible configurations can help provide additional improvements over other embodiments described herein.

In some multi-layer embodiments, by configuring the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k) as irreversible, vaporizable material 1302 stored in the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k) during an overflow event may be available in proximity to the wicking element 1362, providing additional assurance that the wicking element 1362 will not be depleted. Furthermore, because the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k) may be configured to have a more restricted flow compared to the first set of channels 1204(a)-1204(f), as described above, multi-layer implementations may prevent the potential for strong flow of vaporizable material 1302 into the wick housing during a negative pressure event. Furthermore, due to the reversibility, the first set of channels 1204(a)-1204(f) may not contain a relatively large amount of vaporizable material 1302. In some embodiments, an absorbent material (e.g., a sponge) may be introduced into one or both of the channel regions to increase or limit the reversibility or flow of vaporizable material 1302 in the first set of channels 1204(a)-1204(f) or the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k).

Referring to FIG. 13, an exemplary perspective side view of a multi-vent, multi-channel collector 1300 structure is shown, according to one or more implementations. As shown, the collector 1300 may be positioned within a cartridge such that the collector 1300 has a dual vent 1301. This implementation may allow vaporizable material 1302 to flow into the channels 1204 at a relatively fast rate, particularly compared to the single-vent collector 1200 shown in FIGS. 14A and 12B.

4A, 4B, and 5B, in certain variations, the collector 1313 may be configured to be insertably received by the receiving end of the reservoir 1342. The end of the collector 1313 opposite the end received by the reservoir 1342 may be configured to receive the wicking element 1362. For example, fork-shaped protrusions may be formed to securely receive the wicking element 1362. A wick housing 1315 may be used to further secure the wicking element 1362 in a fixed position between the protrusions. This configuration may also help prevent the wicking element 1362 from substantially expanding and weakening due to over-saturation.

Referring to Figures 5C, 5D, and 5E, depending on the implementation, one or more additional ducts, channels, tubes, or cavities passing through the collector 1313 may be configured or arranged as paths for supplying the wicking element 1362 with vaporizable material 1302 stored in the reservoir 1342. In certain configurations, such as those described in further detail herein, the wick supply duct, tube, or cavity (i.e., wick supply 1368) may run generally parallel to the central tunnel 1100. In at least one configuration, there may be multiple wick supplies running diagonally along the length of the collector 1313, for example, independently or in conjunction with a wick exchanger that includes one or more other wick supplies.

In certain embodiments, multiple wick supplies can be interactively connected in a multi-link configuration, such that the junction of supply paths that may intersect with one another leads to the wick housing region. This configuration can help prevent complete blockage of the wick supply mechanism, for example, if one or more of the supply paths at the junction of the wick supplies are blocked by an air bubble or other type of clog. Advantageously, even if some or certain paths at the junction of the wick supplies are fully or partially clogged or blocked, the instrumentation of the multiple supply paths allows vaporizable material 1302 to safely travel one or more paths (or crossovers to different but open paths) toward the wick housing region.

Depending on the implementation, the wick supply passage may be shaped to be, for example, tubular, having a circular or multi-sided cross-shaped diameter. For example, the hollow cross-section of the wick supply may be triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, or any other suitable geometric shape. In one or more embodiments, the cross-sectional perimeter of the wick supply may be in the shape of a hollow cross, such that the arms of the cross have a narrower width relative to the diameter of the central intersection of the cross (from which the arms extend). More generally, the wick supply channel (also referred to herein as the first channel) may have a cross-sectional shape with at least one irregularity (e.g., a protrusion, a side channel, etc.) that provides an alternative path for the liquid vaporizable material to flow, even if an air bubble blocks the remainder of the cross-sectional area of the wick supply. While the cross-shaped cross-section in this example is an example of such a structure, one skilled in the art will understand that other shapes are also contemplated and feasible consistent with this disclosure.

Implementations of a cross-shaped duct or tube formed through the wick supply path can overcome the problem of clogging, because the cross-shaped duct is essentially considered to contain five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed in the hollow center of the cross and four additional paths formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such implementations, blockages of the supply tube, for example by air bubbles, are likely to form in the center of the cross-shaped tube, while sub-pathways (i.e., paths through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) remain open.

According to one or more aspects, the wick supply path may be wide enough to allow vaporizable material 1302 to move freely through the supply path toward the wick. In some embodiments, flow through the wick supply is enhanced or adjusted by manipulating the relative diameters of certain portions of the wick supply, which exert capillary pulling or pressure on vaporizable material 1302 moving through the wick supply path. In other words, depending on the shape and other structural or material factors, some wick supply paths may rely on gravity or capillary forces to induce movement of vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick housing portion.

In a cross-tube implementation, for example, the feed path through the arms of the cross-tube may be configured to feed the wick by capillary pressure instead of relying on gravity. In such an implementation, the central portion of the cross-tube may feed the wick by gravity, for example, while the flow of vaporizable material 1302 within the arms of the cross-tube may be supported by capillary pressure. Note that the cross-tube disclosed herein is for purposes of providing an exemplary embodiment. The concepts and functionality implemented in this exemplary embodiment may be extended to wick feed paths of different cross-sectional shapes (e.g., a tube having a hollow star-shaped cross-section with two or more arms extending from a central tunnel running along the wick feed path).

Referring to FIG. 5C, an exemplary collector 1313 configuration is shown in which two wick supplies 1368 are positioned on opposite sides of the central tunnel 1100, allowing vaporizable material 1302 to enter the supplies and flow directly toward the cavity region at the other end of the collector 1313 where the wick housing is formed.

The wick supply mechanism may be formed through the collector 1313 such that at least one wick supply passage within the collector 1313 may be shaped as a multi-sided, cross-diameter hollow tube. For example, the hollow cross-section of the wick supply may be in the shape of a plus sign (e.g., a hollow cross-shaped wick supply when viewed from a top cross-sectional view) such that the arms of the cross have a narrower width in relation to the diameter of the central intersection of the cross from which they extend.

Ducts or tubes with a cross-shaped diameter formed through the wick supply passages can overcome the problem of clogging because the tube with a cross-shaped diameter is considered to include five separate passages (e.g., a central passage formed in the hollow center of the cross and four additional passages formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such implementations, blockage of the supply tube by gas bubbles (e.g., air bubbles) is more likely to form in the central portion of the cross-shaped tube.

Such central positioning of the bubble ultimately leaves sub-pathways (i.e., paths through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) that remain open to the flow of vaporizable material 1302 even if the central path is blocked by a bubble. Other implementations of the wick supply passage structure are possible that can achieve the same or similar objectives as those disclosed above with respect to trapping bubbles and preventing trapped bubbles from completely clogging the wick supply passageway.

Depending on the implementation, adding more vents to the collector 1300 structure allows for faster flow rates, due to the relatively large collective volume of vaporizable material 1302 that moves when additional vents are available. Thus, even if not explicitly shown, embodiments with more than two vents (e.g., triple vent embodiments, quadruple vent embodiments, etc.) are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

16A shows a perspective view, a front view, a side view, a bottom view, and a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a collector 1313 with a V-shaped gate 1102. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 26, the collector 1313 may be mounted inside the hollow cavity of the cartridge 1320 along with additional components (e.g., a wicking element 1362, a heating element 1350, and a wick housing 1315). The wicking element 1362 may be positioned between the second end of the collector 1313, with the heating element 1350 wrapped around the wicking element 1362. During assembly, the collector 1313, the wicking element 1362, and the heating element 1350 may be combined with each other and covered by the wick housing 1315 before being inserted into the internal cavity of the cartridge 1320.

The wick housing 1315, along with the other described components, can be inserted into the end of the cartridge 1320 opposite the mouthpiece to hold the internal components in a pressure-sealed or press-fit manner. The seal or fit of the wick housing 1315 and collector 1313 inside the inner walls of the receiving sleeve of the cartridge 1320 is desirably tight enough to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 held in the reservoir of the cartridge 1320. In some embodiments, the pressure seal between the wick housing 1315 and collector 1313 and the inner walls of the receiving sleeve of the cartridge 1320 is also tight enough to prevent a user from manually disassembling the components with their bare hands.

With reference to Figures 4A, 4B, 5B, 16B, and 16C, in certain variations, the collector 1313 may be configured to be insertably received by the receiving end of the reservoir 1342. As shown in Figures 16B and 16C, the end of the collector 1313 opposite the end received by the reservoir 1342 may be configured to receive the wicking element 1362. For example, fork-shaped protrusions 1108 may be formed to securely receive the wicking element 1362. A wick housing 1315 may be used to further secure the wicking element 1362 in a fixed position between the fork-shaped protrusions 1108, as shown in the cross-sectional views near the bottom of Figures 16B and 16C. This configuration may also help prevent the wicking element 1362 from substantially expanding and weakening due to excessive saturation.

Referring to FIG. 16B, in one embodiment, the wicking element 1362 can be restrained or compressed at specific locations along its length (e.g., toward the distal longitudinal end of the wicking element 1362 located directly below the wick supply 1368) by compression ribs 1110, which can help prevent leakage by, for example, maintaining a greater saturated area of vaporizable material 1302 toward the ends of the wicking element 1362, thereby allowing the central portion of the wicking element 1362 to remain drier and reduce leakage. Additionally, the compression ribs 1110 can be used to further compress the wicking element 1362 into the atomizer housing, preventing leakage into the atomizer.

16D-16F, top views of exemplary wick supply mechanisms formed or structured through a collector 1313 are shown, according to one or more implementations. As shown in FIG. 16D, at least one wick supply 1368 pathway within the collector 1313 may be shaped as a multi-sided intersecting diameter hollow tube. For example, the hollow cross section of the wick supply 1368 pathway may be in the shape of a plus sign (e.g., a hollow cross-shaped wick supply when viewed from a top cross-sectional view), such that the arms of the cross have a narrower width relative to the diameter of the central intersection of the cross from which the arms extend.

With reference to FIG. 16E, a duct or tube having a cross-shaped diameter formed through the wick supply 1368 path can overcome the problem of clogging because the tube having a cross-shaped diameter can be considered to include five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed in the hollow center of the cross and four additional paths formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such an implementation, as shown in FIG. 16E, blockage of the supply tube by a gas bubble (e.g., an air bubble) is likely to form in the central portion of the cross-shaped tube. Such central placement of the air bubble ultimately leaves sub-pathways (i.e., paths through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) that remain open to the flow of vaporizable material 1302, even if the central path is blocked by an air bubble.

16F, other implementations of the wick supply 1368 pathway structure are possible that can achieve the same or similar objectives as those disclosed above with respect to trapping air bubbles and preventing trapped air bubbles from completely clogging the wick supply 1368 pathway. As shown in the exemplary illustration of FIG. 16F, to aid in the passage of vaporizable material 1302 through the wick supply 1368 pathway when air bubbles are trapped in the central region of the wick supply 1368 pathway, one or more droplet-shaped protrusions 1368a/1368b (e.g., similar in shape to one or more separation nipples with the wick supply 1368 pathway therebetween) can be formed at the ends of the wick supply 1368 pathway through which vaporizable material 1302 flows from the storage chamber 1342 to the collector 1313. In this way, a reasonably controllable and consistent flow of vaporizable material 1302 can be directed towards the wick while preventing scenarios where the wick becomes inappropriately saturated with vaporizable material 1302.

Figure 15 shows perspective, front, side, and exploded views of an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge 1320 with press-fit components. As shown, the cartridge 1320 can include a combination mouthpiece reservoir shaped in the shape of a sleeve, with an airflow passage 1338 defined therethrough. The cartridge 1320 region houses the collector 1313, wicking element 1362, heating element 1350, and wick housing 1315. An opening at a first end of the collector 1313 leads to the airflow passage 1338 in the mouthpiece, providing a path for vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to travel from the heating element 1350 region to the mouthpiece where the user inhales.

17A-17B, there are shown close-up front plan views of exemplary flow management features within the collector 1313 structure. Similar to the flow management features described with reference to FIGS. 5M and 5N, the flow management vent feature 2701 or 2702 may be implemented in a variety of shapes in different embodiments. In the example of FIG. 17A, the passageway or overflow channel 1104 within the collector 1313 may be connected to a reservoir via, for example, a fluid vent 2701, such that the vent 2701 includes at least two openings that connect to the reservoir of the cartridge.

As previously mentioned, a liquid seal may be maintained at the vent 2701 regardless of cartridge position. In one aspect, a vent path may be maintained between the overflow channel and the vent 2701. In another aspect, a high drive channel may be implemented to facilitate pinch-off and maintain the liquid seal.

Figure 17B shows an alternative vent 2702 configuration with three openings connected to the cartridge reservoir by pinch-off paths that prevent the liquid seal between the vent 2701 and the reservoir from being broken.

Figure 18 shows a snapshot of when the flow of vaporizable material collected in the exemplary collector of Figure 17A or Figure 17B is managed to accommodate proper venting of the cartridge reservoir, according to one embodiment. As shown, the vent 2701 structure of Figure 17A is distinguishable from the vent 2702 structure of Figure 17B, which provides an open area on one side instead of the wall structure shown in Figure 17A. This more open implementation provides enhanced microfluidic interaction between the vaporizable material 1302 and the open side of the vent 2702.

With reference to Figures 19A-19C, perspective, front, and side views of an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge are shown. The illustrated cartridge may be assembled from multiple components, including a collector, a heating element, and a wick housing that holds the cartridge components in place when inserted into the cartridge body. In one embodiment, a laser weld may be performed at a circumferential joint located approximately at the point where one end of the collector structure meets the wick housing. The laser weld prevents the flow of liquid vaporizable material 1302 from the collector into the heating chamber in which the atomizer resides.

Referring to Figures 20A-20F, perspective views of exemplary cartridges at different fill capacities are shown. As previously mentioned, the volume size of the overflow volume may be configured to be equal to, approximately equal to, or greater than the increase in volume of the contents contained in the reservoir chamber. When the volume of the contents of the reservoir chamber expands as a result of one or more environmental factors, if the volume of the contents contained in the reservoir chamber is X, and the pressure within the reservoir chamber increases to Y, then an amount Z of vaporizable material 1302 may be displaced from the reservoir chamber into the overflow volume. Thus, in one or more implementations, the overflow volume is configured to be large enough to accommodate at least an amount Z of vaporizable material 1302.

FIG. 20A shows a perspective view of an exemplary cartridge body having a reservoir that, when filled, contains a storage volume of vaporizable material 1302, e.g., approximately 1.20 mL. FIG. 30B shows a perspective view of an exemplary cartridge fully assembled, with the reservoir and collector overflow passage containing a combined volume of vaporizable material 1302, e.g., approximately 1.20 mL, when both are filled. FIG. 20C shows a perspective view of an exemplary cartridge fully assembled, e.g., when the collector overflow passage is filled to a volume of approximately 0.173 mL. FIG. 20D shows a perspective view of an exemplary cartridge fully assembled, e.g., when the reservoir is filled to a volume of approximately 0.934 mL. FIG. 20E shows a perspective view of an exemplary cartridge fully assembled, with the wick supply channel and airflow passage in the mouthpiece shown in cross section, the wick supply channel having a volume of approximately 0.094 mL. FIG. 20F shows a perspective view of an exemplary fully assembled cartridge in which the overflow air channel is integrated into a portion of the collector toward the bottom rib, and the airflow air channel has a volume of, for example, approximately 0.043 mL.

Figures 21A-21C are front views of an exemplary cartridge according to one embodiment, in which a dual-needle filling application is implemented to fill the cartridge reservoir (Figure 21A) before the collector and encapsulation plug are inserted into the cartridge body (Figure 21B) to form the fully assembled cartridge (Figure 21C).

24A and 24B show front views of an exemplary cartridge body with an external airflow path. In some embodiments, the vaporizer body 110 can be provided with one or more gates, also referred to as air inlet holes. The inlet holes can be positioned inside an air inlet channel sized in width, height, and depth such that a user does not unintentionally block individual air inlet holes while holding the vaporizer 100. In one aspect, the air inlet channel structure can be long enough so as not to significantly block or restrict airflow through the air inlet channel if, for example, a user's finger blocks an area of the air inlet channel.

In some configurations, the geometric configuration of the air inlet channel may provide, for example, at least one of a minimum length, a minimum depth, or a maximum width to prevent a user from completely covering or blocking the air inlet holes in the air inlet channel with their hand or other body part. For example, the length of the air inlet channel may be longer than the width of an average human finger, and the width and depth of the air inlet channel may be such that a fold of skin formed when a user's finger presses over the channel does not interface with the air inlet holes in the air inlet channel.

The air inlet channel may be configured or formed with rounded edges or shaped to wrap around one or more corners or areas of the vaporizer body 110, so that it cannot be easily covered by a user's fingers or body parts. In certain embodiments, an optional cover may be provided to protect the air inlet channel and prevent a user's fingers from blocking or completely restricting the flow of air into the air inlet channel. In one exemplary implementation, the air inlet channel may be formed at the interface between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 (e.g., in the receptacle area, see FIG. 1). In such an implementation, the air inlet channel may be protected from obstruction because it is formed inside the receptacle area. This implementation may also allow the air inlet channel to be configured to be hidden from view.

Figures 22A-22C show front, top, and bottom views, respectively, of an exemplary cartridge body with a condensate collector 3201 integrated inside the air path.

Referring to FIG. 23A, air or vapor may flow into an airflow path within the cartridge. The airflow path may extend longitudinally from an opening or aperture in the mouthpiece along the interior of the cartridge body, such that vaporizable material 1302 inhaled through the mouthpiece passes through a condensate collector 3201. As shown in FIG. 23B, in addition to the condensate collector 3201, a condensate recycler channel 3204 (e.g., a microfluidic channel) may be formed to travel, for example, from the opening in the mouthpiece to the wick.

The condensate collector 3201 acts on the vaporized vaporizable material 1302, which cools and transforms into droplets within the mouthpiece, collecting the condensed droplets and sending them to the condensate recycler channel 3204. The condensate recycler channel 3204 collects the condensate and larger vapor droplets and returns them to the wick, preventing the liquid vaporizable material formed on the mouthpiece from accumulating in the mouth when puffing or inhaling through the mouthpiece. The condensate recycler channel 3204 can be implemented as a microfluidic channel to capture the condensation of the droplets, thereby eliminating direct inhalation of the liquid form of the vaporizable material and avoiding an undesirable sensation or taste in the user's mouth.

25 and 26, perspective views of a portion of an exemplary cartridge are shown in which the collector structure 1313 includes a void 3501 in a bottom rib of the collector structure. The location of the void 3501 may coincide with where the air exchange port is located within the collector structure 1313. As previously described, the collector structure 1313 may be configured to have a central opening into which an air flow channel leading to the mouthpiece is implemented. The air flow channel may be connected to the air exchange port such that the volume within the overflow passage of the collector 1313 is connected to ambient air via the air exchange port and to the volume of the reservoir via a vent.

According to one or more implementations, the vent may be utilized primarily as a control valve to control liquid flow between the overflow passage and the storage chamber. The air exchange port may be utilized primarily to control air flow, for example, between the overflow passage and the air path leading to the mouthpiece. The combined interaction between the vent, the collector channel of the overflow passage, and the air exchange port provides proper wick saturation and adequate venting of air bubbles that may be introduced into the cartridge due to various environmental factors as well as the controlled flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector channel. The presence of an air gap 3501 in the air exchange port prevents liquid vaporizable material 1302 stored in the collector from seeping into the wick housing area, allowing for a more robust venting process.

According to one or more aspects, the wick supply path may be wide enough to allow vaporizable material 1302 to move freely through the supply path toward the wick. In some embodiments, flow through the wick supply is enhanced or adjusted by manipulating the relative diameters of certain portions of the wick supply, which exert capillary pulling or pressure on the vaporizable material 1302 moving through the wick supply path. In other words, depending on the shape and other structural or material factors, some wick supply paths may rely on gravity or capillary forces to induce movement of vaporizable material 1302 into the wick housing portion.

In certain implementations, the partial walls of a single wick supply essentially form two chambers of the single wick supply. The chambers of the wick supply may be separated by the partial walls and utilized separately to allow vaporizable material 1302 to flow toward the wick housing. In such an embodiment, when a bubble is removed from one of the wick supply chambers, the other chamber may remain open. The chambers may be volumetrically large to provide sufficient flow of vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick for proper saturation.

Thus, in embodiments where two wick supplies 3701 are utilized, four chambers may effectively be available to convey the flow of vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick. As a result, even if bubbles form in one, two, or three of the chambers, at least the fourth chamber is available to direct the flow of vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick, reducing the chance of wick dehydration.

Referring to FIG. 27, an enlarged view of the end of a wick supply positioned proximate to a wick (e.g., at an end configured to at least partially receive the wick), optionally with at least a portion of the wick sandwiched between two or more protrusions extending from the end of the wick supply.

Figure 28 shows a perspective view of an exemplary collector structure with a square-design wick supply combined with an air gap at one end of the overflow passage.

Referring to Figures 29A-29E, back, side, top, front, and bottom views of an exemplary collector structure are shown, respectively. Figure 29A shows a back view of a collector structure with, for example, four separate discharge sites. Figure 29B is a side view of the collector structure particularly showing, for example, the clamp-shaped end 4002 of the wick supply, which can securely hold a wick within the wick supply channel. As shown in Figure 29C, the portion of the cartridge body extending from the mouthpiece into the cartridge body can be received through a central channel 3700 of the collector structure, which forms an airway passageway through which vaporized vaporizable material 1302 escapes from the atomizer to the mouthpiece.

Figure 29C shows a top view of a collector structure having a wick supply channel 4001 for receiving vaporizable material from a cartridge reservoir and directing the vaporizable material toward a wick that is held in place at the end of the wick supply channel 4001 by a protruding end of the wick supply channel 4001 that forms a clamp-shaped end 4002.

Figure 29D shows a front plan view of the collector structure. As shown, a void cavity can be formed in the lower part of the collector structure at the end of the lower rib of the collector structure, where the collector's overflow passage leads to an air control vent 3902 that communicates with ambient air. The portion of the cartridge body extending from the mouthpiece can be received through a central channel 3700 of the collector structure, which forms an airway passageway through which vaporized vaporizable material 1302 escapes from the atomizer to the mouthpiece.

Figure 29E shows a bottom view of the collector 1313 structure, in which two wick supply channels terminate in two clamp-shaped ends 4002 configured to hold the wick in place at the bottom end of the collector 1313. Optionally, as shown, a segmented ridge, flange, or lip 4003 may be formed on the surface of the bottom end of the collector 1313, which connects to the top of the plug 760 during assembly. The lip 4003 provides a pressure engagement between the top of the plug 760 and the bottom of the collector 1313, functioning in a manner similar to a flexible O-ring, so that a proper seal can be established during assembly. In one embodiment, the bottom end of the collector 1313 may be laser welded to the top of the plug 760.

30A and 30B show plan and side views of an alternative embodiment of a collector structure having two clamp-shaped ends 4002 and two corresponding wick supplies. As shown, this alternative embodiment has a reduced height compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 29A. This reduced height provides improved functionality by structurally modifying the shape of the collector 1313 and the length of the passages within the collector 1313 through which the vaporizable material 1302 flows. Thus, depending on the embodiment, in certain embodiments, the length of the passages of the vaporizable material 1302 into the collector 1313 can be shortened to provide more effective capillary pressure and better manage the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into the passages of the collector 1313.

Figures 31A and 31B show various perspective, top, bottom, and side views of an exemplary collector 1313 having different structural embodiments. For example, the embodiment shown in Figure 31A includes a constriction point that includes a vertically oriented C-shaped wall. In contrast, in the embodiment shown in Figure 31B, the C-shaped wall is positioned at an angle to promote a more controlled flow of vaporizable material 1302 along the collector 1313 passage. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 31B, the C-shaped wall is positioned at an angle relative to the bottom blade of the collector and perpendicular to the downwardly sloping blade portion within the collector.

As previously discussed, the flow rate into and out of the collector 1313 is controlled by manipulating the hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104 within the collector 1313 through the introduction of one or more constriction points, thereby effectively reducing the overall volume of the overflow channel 1104. As shown, the introduction of multiple constriction points into the overflow channel 1104 divides the overflow channel into multiple segments within which the vaporizable material 1302 can flow in a first or second direction, e.g., toward or away from the air control vent 3902, respectively.

The introduction of the constriction point helps establish or control a capillary pressure condition within the overflow channel 1104, thereby minimizing hydraulic flow of vaporizable material 1302 toward the air control vent 3902 when the pressure condition within the cartridge reservoir is below ambient pressure. Under pressure conditions where the pressure within the reservoir is lower than ambient pressure (e.g., above a first threshold), the constriction point is configured to control the capillary pressure or hydraulic flow of vaporizable material 1302 within the overflow channel 1104, causing ambient air to enter the overflow channel 1104 through the air control vent 3902 and rise toward the control fluid gate 1103 into the reservoir, venting the cartridge (i.e., establishing an equilibrium pressure condition).

In certain embodiments or scenarios, the above-described venting process may not include or require the ingress of ambient air via the air control vent 3902. For example, as provided in further detail herein with reference to FIGS. 5M and 5N, in some exemplary scenarios, instead of or in addition to air entering through the air control vent 3902, air bubbles or gas trapped within the overflow channel 1104 may rise toward the control fluid gate 1103 and assist in establishing an equilibrium pressure condition within the cartridge by venting the reservoir as the air bubbles are introduced into the reservoir from the overflow channel 1104 via the control fluid gate 1103. As shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, the constriction point and C-shaped wall design formed in the path of the overflow channel 1104 facilitates a more controlled flow of vaporizable material 1302 through the overflow channel 1104 due to better management of capillary pressure throughout the path of the overflow control channel 1104.

FIG. 32A shows various perspective, top, bottom, and side views of an exemplary wick housing 1315 according to one or more implementations. As shown, one or more perforations or holes can be formed in the bottom of the wick housing 1315 to accommodate airflow through a wick disposed within the wick housing 760 of the wick housing 1315. A sufficient number of holes facilitates adequate airflow through the wick housing 760 to provide for proper and timely vaporization of the vaporizable material 1302 absorbed by the wick in response to heat generated by a heating element disposed near or around the wick.

FIG. 32B illustrates the collector 1313 and wick housing 760 components of an exemplary cartridge 1320, according to one or more implementations. As shown, the wick housing 1315 (including the wick housing portion of the cartridge) may be implemented to include a protruding member or tab 4390. The tab 4390 may be configured to extend from a top end of the wick housing 1315, which mates with a receiving end of the collector 1313 during assembly. The tab 4390 may include, for example, one or more facets that correspond to or match one or more facets of a receiving notch or receiving cavity 1390 at the bottom of the collector 1313. The receiving cavity 1390 may be configured to removably receive the tab 4390, for example, for a snap-fit engagement. The snap-fit arrangement can help hold the collector 1313 and wick housing 1315 together during or after assembly.

In certain embodiments, tab 4390 can be utilized to indicate the orientation of wick housing 1315 during assembly. For example, in one embodiment, one or more vibration mechanisms (e.g., vibrating bowls) can be utilized to temporarily store or stage various components of cartridge 1320. According to some embodiments, tab 4390 can help orient the top of wick housing 1315 for a mechanical gripper for easy engagement and proper automated assembly.

Additional and/or Alternative Heating Element Embodiments As noted above, vaporizer cartridges consistent with implementations of the present subject matter may include one or more heating elements. Figures 33A-34 illustrate heating element embodiments consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. The features described and illustrated with respect to Figures 33A-34 may be included in and/or comprise one or more features of the various embodiments of the vaporizer cartridges described above, and the heating element features described and illustrated with respect to Figures 33A-34 may additionally and/or alternatively be included in one or more other exemplary embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge, such as those described below.

Heating elements consistent with implementations of the present subject matter may desirably be shaped to receive the wicking element and/or at least partially crimped or pressed around the wicking element. The heating element may be bent such that the heating element is configured to secure the wicking element between at least two or three portions of the heating element. The heating element may be bent to conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element. The heating element may be easier to manufacture than typical heating elements. Heating elements consistent with implementations of the present subject matter may be made of a conductive metal suitable for resistive heating, and in some embodiments, the heating element may include selective plating of another material to enable more efficient heating of the heating element (and thus the vaporizable material).

Figure 33A shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge 120, Figure 33B shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge 120, and Figure 33C shows a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge 120. As shown in Figures 33A-33C, the vaporizer cartridge 120 includes a housing 160 and an atomizer assembly (or atomizer) 141.

In some implementations, the wick housing 178 also includes an identification chip 174, which may be configured to communicate with a corresponding chip reader located on the vaporizer. The identification chip 174 may be glued and/or otherwise affixed to the wick housing 178, such as on a short side of the wick housing 178. The wick housing 178 may additionally or alternatively include a chip recess 164 (see FIG. 34) configured to receive the identification chip 174. The chip recess 164 may be surrounded by two, four, or more walls. The chip recess 164 may be shaped to secure the identification chip 174 to the wick housing 178.

As described above, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may generally include a reservoir, an air path, and an atomizer 141. In some configurations, the heating element and/or atomizer described by implementations of the present subject matter may be mounted directly to the vaporizer body and/or may not be removable from the vaporizer body. In some implementations, the vaporizer body may not include a removable cartridge.

Once the heating element is formed into the appropriate shape via one or more processes described below, the heating element is crimped around the wicking element and/or bent into position to receive the wicking element. The wicking element, in some implementations, may be a fibrous wick formed as an at least generally flat pad or with other cross-sectional shapes, such as a circle, oval, etc. A flat pad allows for more precise and/or accurate control of the rate at which vaporizable material is drawn into the wicking element. For example, the length, width, and/or thickness can be adjusted for optimal performance. A wicking element forming a flat pad can provide a larger transfer surface area, thereby increasing the flow of vaporizable material from the reservoir to the wicking element (i.e., transfer of a greater mass of vaporizable material) for vaporization by the heating element and the flow of vaporizable material from the wicking element to the air passing through the wicking element. In such a configuration, the heating element may contact the wicking element in multiple directions (e.g., on at least two sides of the wicking element) to increase the efficiency of the process of drawing the vaporizable material into the wicking element and vaporizing the vaporizable material. A flat pad may also be easier to shape and/or cut and therefore more easily assembled to the heating element. In some implementations, as described in more detail below, the heating element may be configured to contact the wicking element on only one side of the wicking element.

The wicking element may include one or more rigid or compressible materials, such as cotton, silica, ceramic, etc. Compared to some other materials, a cotton wicking element may allow for a greater and/or more controllable flow rate of vaporizable material from the vaporizer cartridge reservoir to the wicking element to be vaporized. In some implementations, the wicking element forms an at least generally flat pad configured to contact the heating element and/or be secured between at least two portions of the heating element. For example, the at least generally flat pad may have at least a first pair of opposing sides that are generally parallel to each other. In some implementations, the at least generally flat pad may have at least a second pair of opposing sides that are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the first pair of opposing sides.

The substrate material may be made of a conductive metal suitable for resistive heating. In some implementations, the heating element 500 comprises a nickel-chromium alloy, a nickel alloy, stainless steel, or the like. As described below, the heating element 500 may be plated with a coating at one or more locations on the surface of the substrate material (which may be all or a portion of the heating element 500) to enhance, limit, or modify the resistivity of the heating element at one or more locations on the substrate material.

The cartridge contacts 124 may form conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes, or surfaces of pins or posts, or other contact configurations. Some types of cartridge contacts 124 include a spring or other biasing mechanism that improves physical and electrical contact between the cartridge contacts 124 on the vaporizer cartridge and the receptacle contacts 125 on the vaporizer body 110. In some implementations, the cartridge contacts 124 include wiping contacts configured to clean connections between the cartridge contacts 124 and other contacts or a power source. For example, the wiping contacts may include two parallel but offset protrusions that frictionally engage and slide against each other in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the insertion direction.

The cartridge contacts 124 are configured to mate with receptacle contacts 125 located near the base of the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer 100, such that the cartridge contacts 124 and the receptacle contacts 125 form an electrical connection when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into and mated with the cartridge receptacle 118. The cartridge contacts 124 can be in electrical communication with the power source 112 of the vaporizer device (e.g., via the receptacle contacts 125). These electrical connections complete a circuit that can send current to the resistive heating element to heat at least a portion of the heating element 500 and can further be used for additional functions, such as measuring the resistance of the resistive heating element for use in determining and/or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on the thermal coefficient of resistivity of the resistive heating element, or identifying the cartridge based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other circuitry of the vaporizer cartridge. The cartridge contacts 124 may be treated to provide improved electrical properties (e.g., contact resistance) using, for example, conductive plating, surface treatments, and/or deposition materials, as described in more detail below.

In use, when the heating element 500 is incorporated into the vaporizer cartridge 120, a user puffs on the mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer cartridge 120, causing air to enter the vaporizer cartridge and flow along the air path. In connection with a user's puff, the heating element 500 can be activated, for example, by automatic detection of the puff via a pressure sensor, detection of a button press by the user, detection of a signal generated by a motion sensor, a flow sensor, a capacitive lip sensor, and/or another approach capable of detecting air entering the vaporizer 100 and moving at least along the air path as the user puffs or attempts to puff or otherwise inhale. When the heating element 500 is activated, power can be supplied to the heating element 500 from the vaporizer device at the cartridge contacts 124.

When the heating element 500 is activated, an electric current flows through the heating element 500, causing it to generate heat and increase in temperature. The heat is transferred to a quantity of vaporizable material via heat transfer by conduction, convection, and/or radiation, causing at least a portion of the vaporizable material to vaporize. Heat transfer can occur to vaporizable material in the reservoir and/or to vaporizable material drawn into the wicking element 162 held by the heating element 500. In some implementations, as described above, the vaporizable material can vaporize along one or more edges of the tines 502. Air entering the vaporizer device flows along an air path across the heating element 500, removing the vaporized vaporizable material from the heating element 500. The vaporized vaporizable material condenses due to cooling, pressure changes, etc., and exits the mouthpiece 130 as an aerosol for the user to inhale.

As mentioned above, the heating element 500 may be made from a variety of materials, such as nichrome, stainless steel, or other resistive heating materials. Combinations of two or more materials can be included in the heating element 500, and such combinations can include both a uniform distribution of the two or more materials throughout the heating element, or other configurations in which the relative amounts of the two or more materials are spatially non-uniform. For example, the tines 502 can have more resistive portions, thereby designed to be hotter than the tines or other portions of the heating element 500. In some embodiments, at least the tines 502 (e.g., in the heating portion 504) can include a material with high conductivity and heat resistance.

A typical approach by which vaporizer devices generate inhalable aerosols from vaporizable materials involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (or heating chamber) to convert the vaporizable material to the gas (or vapor) phase. The vaporization chamber generally refers to the region or volume within a vaporizer device in which a heat source (e.g., conduction, convection, and/or radiation) heats the vaporizable material, generating a mixture of air and vaporized vaporizable material, forming a vapor for inhalation by a user of the vaporization device.

Since vaporizer devices were introduced to the market, vaporizer cartridges containing free liquid (i.e., liquid held in a reservoir and not held in a porous material) have become popular. Products on the market may include a cotton pad to collect condensation resulting from vapor generation in the vaporizer device, or they may lack such a mechanism altogether.

Condensation liquid can form a film on the walls of the airway, migrate to the mouthpiece, and leak into the user's mouth, potentially creating an unpleasant experience. Even if the wall film does not leak through the mouthpiece, it can become caught in the airflow and create large droplets that can be drawn into the user's mouth and throat, creating an unpleasant user experience. Problems with using cotton pads to absorb such condensation include inefficiency as well as the additional manufacturing and assembly costs of integrating the cotton pad into part of the vaporizer device. Furthermore, the accumulation and loss of condensation and/or unvaporized vaporizable material can eventually prevent all of the vaporizable material from being drawn into the vaporization chamber, thereby wasting the vaporizable material. Therefore, improved vaporization devices and/or vaporization cartridges are desirable.

As described in more detail below, vaporizing a vaporizable material into an aerosol can cause condensation to collect along one or more internal channels and outlets (e.g., along the mouthpiece) of some vaporizers. For example, such condensation may include vaporizable material drawn from a reservoir, formed into an aerosol, and condensed into condensate before exiting the vaporizer. Additionally, vaporizable material that avoids the vaporization process can also accumulate along one or more internal channels and/or air outlets. This can cause condensate and/or unvaporized vaporizable material to exit the mouthpiece outlet and deposit in the user's mouth, creating both an unpleasant user experience and a reduction in the amount of inhalable aerosol that would otherwise be available. Furthermore, the accumulation and loss of condensate can eventually prevent all of the vaporizable material from being drawn from the reservoir into the vaporization chamber, thereby wasting the vaporizable material. For example, if particulates of vaporizable material accumulate in the internal channel of the air tube downstream of the vaporizer chamber, the effective cross-sectional area of the airflow passage will be reduced, increasing the air flow rate and thereby exerting a drag force on the accumulated fluid, thereby amplifying the likelihood that the fluid will be drawn from the internal channel through the mouthpiece outlet. Various features and devices that improve or overcome these problems are described below.

As described above, drawing vaporizable material from a reservoir and vaporizing the vaporizable material into an aerosol can result in vaporizable material condensation collecting adjacent to and/or within one or more outlets formed in the mouthpiece. This can cause the condensate to exit the outlet and deposit in the user's mouth, creating both an unpleasant user experience and a reduction in the amount of vapor that would otherwise be available for consumption. Various vaporizer device features that ameliorate or overcome these problems are described below. For example, various features for controlling condensation within a vaporizer device are described herein, which provide advantages and improvements over existing approaches and may also introduce additional advantages as described herein. For example, vaporizer device features are described that are configured to collect and contain condensation that forms or collects adjacent to an outlet in the mouthpiece, thereby preventing the condensation from exiting the outlet.

Alternatively or additionally, drawing vaporizable material 102 from reservoir 140 and vaporizing the vaporizable material into an aerosol can cause condensation to collect within one or more tubes or internal channels (e.g., air tubes) of the vaporizer device. As described in more detail below, features of the vaporizer device are described that are configured to trap condensation and prevent vaporizable material particulates from exiting the vaporizer cartridge's air outlet.

As used herein, when a feature or element is referred to as being "on" another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element, or intervening features and/or elements can be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. When a feature or element is referred to as being "connected,""attached," or "coupled" to another feature or element, it will also be understood that it can be directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other feature or element, or there may be intervening features or elements present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly connected,""directlyattached," or "directly coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present.

Although described or illustrated with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or illustrated may be applicable to other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will also understand that references to a structure or feature being located "adjacent" to another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and implementations only and are not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, it should be understood that the term "comprising," when used herein, refers to the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term "and/or," as used herein, includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as "/."

In the above description and in the claims, phrases such as "at least one" or "one or more" may appear followed by a concatenated list of elements or features. The term "and/or" may also appear in lists of two or more elements or features. Unless implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such phrases are intended to refer to any of the listed elements or features individually, or any of the listed elements or features in combination with any of the other listed 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" mean "A alone, B alone, or A and B together," respectively. A similar interpretation applies to lists containing more than two items. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, and/or C" mean "A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together," respectively. Use of the term "based on" above and in the claims is intended to mean "based at least in part on," and therefore allows for unrecited features or elements.

Spatially relative terms such as "forward," "backward," "below," "below," "bottom," "above," "top," and the like are used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another, as shown in the figures. It will be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned upside down, elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features may be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upward," "downward," "vertically," "horizontally," and the like are used herein for descriptive purposes only, unless otherwise noted.

The terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various features/elements (including steps), but these features/elements should not be limited by these terms unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another. Thus, a first feature/element described below could be referred to as a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element described below could be referred to as a first feature/element, without departing from the teachings provided herein.

As used in this specification and claims, including those used in the examples, and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if preceded by the word "about" or "approximately," even if the term is not explicitly stated. The phrase "about" or "approximately," when used when describing a size and/or location, indicates that the described value and/or location is within a reasonable expected range of value and/or location. For example, a numerical value may have a value that is ±0.1% of the specified value (or range of values), ±1% of the specified value (or range of values), ±2% of the specified value (or range of values), ±5% of the specified value (or range of values), ±10% of the specified value (or range of values), etc. Numeric values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context dictates otherwise.

For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, "about 10" is also disclosed. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all subranges subsumed therein. As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, when a value is disclosed, it is understood that "less than or equal to that value," "greater than or equal to that value," and possible ranges between values are also disclosed. For example, when a value "X" is disclosed, "less than or equal to X" and "greater than or equal to X" (e.g., where X is a number) are also disclosed. It is also understood that throughout this application, data is provided in several different formats, and this data represents endpoints and starting points, and ranges for any combination of the data points. For example, when a specific data point "10" and a specific data point "15" are disclosed, it is understood that not only the range between 10 and 15 is disclosed, but also greater than 10 and greater than 15, greater than or equal to 10 and greater than 15, less than 10 and less than 15, less than 10 and less than 15, less than 10 and less than 15, and equal to 10 and equal to 15. It is also understood that each number between two specific numbers is disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

While various exemplary embodiments have been described above, any of several modifications 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 be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped entirely. Optional features of the various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in other embodiments. Accordingly, the foregoing description has been provided primarily for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuits, specially designed application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate array (FPGA) computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features may include implementation in one or more computer programs executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special purpose or general purpose, coupled for transmitting and receiving data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system includes clients and servers. Clients and servers are typically remote from each other and typically interact through a communications network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

These computer programs, which may also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, comprise machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural languages, object-oriented programming languages, functional programming languages, logic programming languages, and/or assembly/machine languages.

As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to a computer program product, apparatus, and/or device, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, memory, programmable logic device (PLD), etc., used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor that includes a machine-readable medium that receives the machine instructions as a machine-readable signal.

The term "machine-readable signal" refers to a signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor. The machine-readable medium may store such machine instructions non-transitoryly, such as, for example, non-transitory solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium may alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as, for example, a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

The examples and figures included herein illustrate, by way of illustration and not limitation, specific embodiments in which the disclosed subject matter may be practiced. As noted above, other embodiments may be utilized or derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term "invention" merely for convenience and without any intention to intentionally limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, even though in fact more than one invention or inventive concept is disclosed.

Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, as well as other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the above description.

The disclosed subject matter has been provided herein with reference to one or more features or embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, regardless of the detailed nature of the exemplary embodiments provided herein, changes and modifications can be applied to said embodiments without limiting or departing from the generally intended scope. These and various other adaptations and combinations of the embodiments provided herein are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter, as defined by the complete set of disclosed elements and features, and their equivalents.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner will not object to reproduction by any means of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as appearing in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but reserves all copyrights. Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of the applicant, assignee, or third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or assignee. The use of these marks is for the purpose of providing an authorizing disclosure by way of example and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed subject matter exclusively to material associated with such marks.

Claims (21)

A control fluid gate for controlling the flow of liquid vaporizable material between a reservoir chamber and an adjacent overflow volume within a vaporizer, said control fluid gate comprising:
a plurality of openings at a boundary between the reservoir and the overflow volume of a collector, the plurality of openings connecting a high drive channel and a low drive channel, the high drive channel having a higher capillary drive than the low drive channel;
and a pinch-off point between the plurality of openings. the control fluid gate includes a gate disposed in the opening;
an edge of the gate opening having a first side and a second side;
The control fluid gate of claim 1 , wherein the corners on the first side are more rounded than the corners on the second side. 1. A device for microfluidic pressure equalization, comprising:
a first capillary channel beginning at a constriction point and ending at a pinch-off point;
a second capillary channel beginning at the pinch-off point and terminating in a reservoir;
a high-drive channel extending from another constriction point opposite the constriction point toward the pinch-off point;
The high-drive channel widens from the other constriction point toward the pinch-off point such that a tapered angle is formed with an apex near the other constriction point . The device of claim 3, wherein the first capillary channel fluidly connects the high drive channel to an overflow channel. The device of claim 4, wherein the constriction point fluidly connects the overflow channel to the first capillary channel. The device described in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the other constriction point is fluidly connected to the high-drive channel and the reservoir. The device of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein a single channel forms the high-drive channel. The device of any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the high-drive channel has no obstructions therein. The device of claim 3 , wherein the high-drive channel includes a top wall that extends from the other constriction point to the second capillary channel. The device of claim 3 , wherein the high-drive channel includes a lower wall extending from the other constriction point to the first capillary channel. The device of any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the high-actuation channel is configured to seal the first capillary channel and the second capillary channel with liquid after a pressure equalization event that releases a gas bubble into the reservoir. 1. A cartridge for a vaporizer including a device for microfluidic pressure equalization, comprising:
a cartridge housing including a reservoir configured to hold a vaporizable liquid;
a first capillary channel beginning at a constriction point and ending at a pinch-off point;
a second capillary channel beginning at the pinch-off point and terminating in a reservoir;
another constriction point opposite the constriction point, the other constriction point being fluidly connected to the reservoir;
a high drive channel extending from the other constriction point toward the pinch-off point;
the high-drive channel widens from the other constriction point toward the pinch-off point to form a taper angle having an apex near the other constriction point ;
A cartridge for a vaporizer, wherein the high drive channel is configured to fluidly seal the first capillary channel and the second capillary channel after a pressure equalization event that releases gas bubbles into the reservoir. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the first capillary channel fluidly connects the high drive channel to an overflow channel. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the constriction point fluidly connects the overflow channel to the first capillary channel. A cartridge according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the other constriction point is fluidly connected to the high drive channel and the reservoir. 16. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the taper angle is defined between an upper wall and a lower wall of the high drive channel and has an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 21 degrees. The cartridge of claim 16, wherein the upper wall extends from the other constriction point to the second capillary channel. A cartridge as described in claim 16 or 17, wherein the lower wall extends from the other constriction point to the first capillary channel. The cartridge of any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein a single channel forms the high-drive channel. The cartridge of any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the high drive channel has no obstructions therein. The cartridge of any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the high-drive channel is configured to seal the first capillary channel and the second capillary channel with the vaporizable liquid after a pressure equalization event that releases a gas bubble into the reservoir.