VAPORIZER CARTRIDGE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/655,868, entitled “VAPORIZER CARTRIDGE” and filed on Jun. 4, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002]The current subject matter described herein relates generally to vaporizer devices, such as portable, personal vaporizer devices for generating and delivering an inhalable aerosol from one or more vaporizable materials.

BACKGROUND

[0003]Vaporizing devices, including electronic vaporizers or e-vaporizer devices, allow the delivery of vapor containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the vapor. Electronic vaporizer devices are gaining increasing popularity both for prescriptive medical use, in delivering medicaments, and for consumption of nicotine, tobacco, other liquid-based substances, and other plant-based smokeable materials, such as cannabis, including solid (e.g., loose-leaf) materials, solid/liquid (e.g., suspensions, liquid-coated) materials, wax extracts, and prefilled pods (cartridges, wrapped containers, etc.) of such materials. Electronic vaporizer devices in particular may be portable, self-contained, and convenient for use.

SUMMARY

[0004]Aspects of the current subject matter relate to a vaporizer cartridge for use with a vaporizer body to provide a vaporizable aerosol for consumption by a user.

[0005]According to some aspects, there is provided a cartridge configured to operatively couple with a vaporizer, the cartridge comprising a mouthpiece at a proximal end of the cartridge, the mouthpiece configured to deliver an inhalable vapor; a reservoir configured to store a vaporizable material, the mouthpiece slidably attached to an exterior surface of a proximal end of the reservoir; a cannula extending from a distal member of the cartridge to a proximal portion of the cartridge; and an atomizer assembly comprising an atomizer and an atomizer wrapper; wherein the atomizer wrapper is configured to wick vaporizable material from at least one reservoir opening to the atomizer to enable the atomizer to heat and vaporize the vaporizable material; wherein the atomizer wrapper and the atomizer both have cylindrical shapes, the atomizer wrapper having an internal cavity with an internal diameter sized to fit an exterior diameter of the atomizer, wherein the atomizer is positioned within the internal cavity of the atomizer wrapper; wherein the atomizer wrapper has an external diameter sized to fit an interior diameter of an interior cavity of the cannula, wherein the atomizer wrapper, including the atomizer positioned therein, is positioned within an interior cavity of the cannula; and wherein the atomizer assembly forms an axis that is coaxially aligned with a central axis running through the cartridge and the cannula.

[0006]In some implementations, the current subject matter may include one or more of the features disclosed herein including the following optional features. The distal member comprises a first air inlet receiving a first air flow and a second air inlet receiving a second air flow, wherein the distal member combines the first air flow and the second air flow in an airflow and provides the airflow to a distal opening of the cannula, wherein the atomizer heats the vaporizable material to generate vapor which is carried in the airflow towards a proximal end of the cannula, the airflow exiting the cannula split within the mouthpiece into two flows before exiting at least two openings in the mouthpiece. The cannula comprises a cylindrical shape having at a proximal end of the cannula a first diameter and having at a distal end of the cannula a second diameter, wherein a mid-portion of cannula is tapered in diameter from the first diameter to the second diameter. The cartridge further comprises a seal including an opening, wherein the seal plugs the reservoir to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material in the reservoir and the opening is sized for the first diameter of the proximal end of the cannula. The seal is sized to have a first size or a second size, such that when the cartridge is assembled the first size is inserted into the reservoir to provide 0.5 grams of vaporizable material and the second size is inserted into the reservoir to provide 1.0 gram of vaporizable material. The atomizer comprises at least a first lead and a second lead, wherein the first lead and the second lead respectively make contact with a first receptacle in the distal member and a second receptacle in the distal member, wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle are configured to receive power from a source of power. The cartridge further comprises at least one absorbent pad positioned within an interior volume of the mouthpiece and within a proximal end of the mouthpiece. The cartridge further comprises at least one absorbent pad positioned in the distal member. The atomizer comprises a nichrome wire heating element embedded in a ceramic element. The at least one reservoir opening comprises two reservoir openings on opposing sides of the cannula. The mouthpiece includes at least one notch that is configured to engage with at least one recess on the exterior surface of the reservoir to fixedly attach the mouthpiece and reservoir. The atomizer assembly is positioned at a base portion of the reservoir and extends into a central region of the cartridge.

[0007]According to some aspects, there is provided a method of manufacturing a cartridge, the method comprising in response to manufacturing a cartridge configured to contain a first amount of vaporizable material, inserting a first sized silicon seal into a proximal end of a reservoir of a vaporizer cartridge; and in response to manufacturing the cartridge configured to contain a second amount of vaporizable material, inserting a second sized silicon seal into the proximal end of the reservoir of the vaporizer cartridge.

[0008]In some implementations, the current subject matter may include one or more of the features disclosed herein including the following optional features. The method may further comprise continuing with manufacturing the cartridge. The first amount is 1.0 gram of vaporizable material. The first sized silicon seal comprises an insertion depth of 2.2 millimeters into the reservoir. The first amount is 0.5 grams of vaporizable material. The first sized silicon seal comprises an insertion depth of between 7.2 and 9.2 millimeters into the reservoir. The reservoir is filled with vaporizable material before the first sized silicon seal or the second sized silicon seal is inserted into the proximal end of the reservoir of the vaporizer cartridge.

[0009]The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010]The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In the drawings:

[0011]FIG. 1A-FIG. 1G illustrate features of a vaporizer device including a cartridge and a vaporizer body consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating features of a vaporizer device having a cartridge and a vaporizer body consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0013]FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F illustrate views of a cartridge consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0014]FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded view of a cartridge consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0015]FIGS. 4B and 4C depict examples of a silicon seal that serves as a bung for the tank, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0016]FIG. 4D illustrates views of the cannula consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0017]FIG. 4E depicts an example of an atomizer comprising ceramic with co-molded or embedded wire mesh, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0018]FIG. 4F depicts an example of a wrapper for the atomizer, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0019]FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D illustrate cross-sectional views of a cartridge consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0020]FIG. 6A depicts a process for heating a vaporizable material contained in a cartridge consistent with implementations of the current subject matter; and

[0021]FIG. 6B depicts a process for manufacturing a cartridge consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.

[0022]When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures, features, or elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023]According to aspects of the current subject matter, a cartridge (in which vaporizable material is contained for producing a vaporizable aerosol and which couples to a vaporizer body) includes various seals, internal structures, and absorbent padding to contain the vaporizable material, to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material, and to provide an enhanced air flow. According to aspects of the current subject matter, a cartridge may have a reservoir (also referred to herein as a tank) in which approximately 0.5 grams or 1.0 grams of vaporizable material may be contained. According to aspects of the current subject matter, a silicon seal (also referred to as a plug or a bung) may be sized to have a first size such that when the silicon seal is inserted into the reservoir, the reservoir can hold up to about 0.5 grams of vaporizable material. And, the silicon seal may be sized to have a second size such that when the silicon seal is inserted into the reservoir, the reservoir can hold up to about 1.0 grams of vaporizable material. According to aspects of the current subject matter, the atomizer and atomizer wrapper are configured in a longitudinal axis with respect to the air flow and cannula.

[0024]Implementations of the current subject matter include devices relating to vaporizing of one or more materials for inhalation by a user. The term “vaporizer” may be used generically in the following description and refers to a vaporizer device, such as, for example, an electronic vaporizer. Examples of vaporizers consistent with implementations of the current subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or the like. In general, such vaporizers are often portable, hand-held devices that heat a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material.

[0025]Vaporizer devices consistent with the current subject matter may be referred to by various terms such as, for example, inhalable aerosol devices, aerosolizers, vaporization devices, electronic vaping devices, electronic vaporizers, vape pens, etc.

[0026]An apparatus and/or method consistent with implementations of the current subject matter involves heating of a vaporizable material to result in production of one or more gas-phase components of the vaporizable material. A vaporizable material may include liquid and/or oil-type plant materials. The gas-phase components of the vaporizable material may condense after being vaporized such that an aerosol is formed in a flowing air stream that is deliverable for inhalation by a user. Such vaporizer devices may in some implementations of the current subject matter be particularly adapted for use with an oil-based vaporizable material, such as, for example, cannabis oils.

[0027]One or more features of the current subject matter, including one or more of a cartridge (also referred to as vaporizer cartridges and pods) and a vaporizer device body (also referred to as a vaporizer device base, a body, a base, etc.), may be employed with a suitable vaporizable material (where suitable refers in this context to being usable with a device whose properties, settings, etc. are configured or configurable to be compatible for use with the vaporizable material). The vaporizable material can include one or more liquids, such as, for example, oils, extracts, aqueous or other solutions, etc., of one or more substances that may be desirably provided in the form of an inhalable aerosol.

[0028]In some implementations, the vaporizable material is cannabis oil. Cannabis oils may present challenges when vaporized using a cartridge and a vaporizer device. For example, cannabis oil is relatively sticky and viscous, particularly once it dries out. Thus, leakage may be a more serious consideration and challenge compared to other aqueous vaporizable materials. In particular, leakage of cannabis oil may result in clogging of the device and disturbing the electrical components, particularly the electrical contacts. The dried oil may also disrupt the electrical control of the vaporizer device due to its electrically insulating properties. The cartridges described herein may provide robust leak-resistant designs and may be configured to be used with viscous oil-based vaporizable materials, such as cannabis oil that may have a viscosity at room temperature of between about 40 cP and 113 KcP.

[0029]Before providing additional details regarding the cartridge (also referred to as a “pod”), the following provides a description of some example of vaporizer devices.

[0030]FIG. 1A-FIG. 1F illustrate features of a vaporizer device 100 including a vaporizer body 110 and a cartridge 150 consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. Although FIGS. 1A-1F depict various features, some implementations may omit one or more features depicted in FIGS. 1A-1F. FIG. 1A is a bottom perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a top perspective view of the vaporizer device 100 with the cartridge 150 separated from a cartridge receptacle 114 on the vaporizer body 110. Both views of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are shown looking towards a mouthpiece 152 of the cartridge 150. FIG. 1C is a bottom perspective view, and FIG. 1D is a top perspective view of the vaporizer device with the cartridge 150 separated from the cartridge receptacle 114 of the vaporizer body 110. FIGS. 1C and 1D are shown looking toward the distal end of the vaporizer body 110. FIG. 1E is a top perspective view, and FIG. 1F is a bottom perspective view of the vaporizer device 100 with the cartridge 150 engaged for use with the vaporizer body 110.

[0031]As shown in FIGS. 1A-1F, the cartridge 150 includes, at a proximal end, a mouthpiece 152 that is attached over a cartridge body 156 that forms a reservoir (or tank) 158, which contains a vaporizable material. The cartridge body 156 may be transparent, translucent, opaque, or a combination thereof. The mouthpiece 152 may include one or more openings 154 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1F) at the proximal end out of which vapor may be inhaled, by drawing breath through the vaporizer device 100. The distal end of the cartridge body 156 may couple to and be secured to the vaporizer body 110 within the cartridge receptacle 114 of the vaporizer body 110. Power pin receptacles 160a,b (see FIGS. 1C, 1D) of the cartridge 150 mate with respective power pins (or contacts) 122a,b (see FIG. 2) of the vaporizer body 110 that extend into the cartridge receptacle 114. The cartridge 150 also includes air flow inlets (or air flow openings) 162a,b on the distal end of the cartridge body 156.

[0032]Alternatively, or additionally, the cartridge 150 may include a tag 164, such as a data tag, a near-field communication (NFC) tag, or other type of wireless transceiver or communication tag, although some implementations may omit the tag 164. The tag 164 may be positioned on at least a portion of the distal end of the cartridge body 156. As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, the tag 164 may substantially surround the power pin receptacles 160a,b and the air flow inlets 162a,b, although other configurations of the tag 164 may be implemented as well. For example, the tag 164 may be positioned between the power pin receptacle 160a and the power pin receptacle 160b, or the tag 164 may be shaped as a circle, partial circle, oval, partial oval, or any polygonal shape encircling or partially encircling the power pin receptacles 160a,b and the air flow inlets 162a,b or a portion thereof.

[0033]In the example of FIG. 1A, the vaporizer body 110 has an outer shell (or cover) 112 that may be made of various types of materials, including for example aluminum (e.g., AL6063), stainless steel, glass, ceramic, titanium, plastic (e.g., Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Nylon, Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethersulfone (PESU), and the like), and any hard, durable material. The proximal end of the vaporizer body 110 includes an opening forming the cartridge receptacle 114, and the distal end of the vaporizer body 110 includes a connection 118, such as, for example, a universal serial bus Type C (USB-C) connection and/or the like. The cartridge receptacle 114 portion of the vaporizer body 110 includes one or more air inlets (or openings) 116a,b that extend through the outer shell 112 to allow airflow therein. The vaporizer body 110 as shown has an elongated, flattened tubular shape that is curvature-continuous, although the vaporizer body 110 is not limited to such a shape. The vaporizer body 110 may take the form of other shapes, such as, for example, a rectangular box, a cylinder, and the like.

[0034]The cartridge 150 may fit within the cartridge receptacle 114 by a friction fit, snap fit, and/or other types of secure connection. The cartridge 150 may have a rim, ridge, protrusion, and/or the like for engaging a complimentary portion of the vaporizer body 110. While fitted within the cartridge receptacle 114, the cartridge 150 may be held securely within but still allow for being easily withdrawn to remove the cartridge 150.

[0035]FIG. 1G depicts a perspective view of another example of the vapor device 100 including a vaporizer body 110 and a cartridge 150 consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.

[0036]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating components of a vaporizer device 100 having the cartridge 150 and a vaporizer body 110 consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. Although FIG. 2 depict various components, some implementations may omit one or more of the components depicted in FIG. 2 and described below. Included in the vaporizer body 110 is a controller 128 that includes at least one processor and/or at least one memory configured to control and manage various operations among the components of the vaporizer device 100 described herein.

[0037]Heater control circuitry 130 of the vaporizer body 110 controls a heater 166 of the cartridge 150. The heater 166 may generate heat to provide vaporization of the vaporizable material. For example, the heater 166 may include a heating coil (e.g., a resistive heater) in thermal contact with a wick, as described in further detail below. In some embodiments, the heater 166 comprises an atomizer, such as atomizer 378 described further below, and the wick comprises atomizer wrapper 376 described further below. The atomizer assembly may compromise the atomizer 378 and the wrapper 376.

[0038]A battery 124 may be included in the vaporizer body 110, and the controller 128 may control and/or communicate with a voltage monitor 131 circuitry configured to monitor the battery voltage, a reset circuit 132 configured to reset (e.g., shut down the vaporizer device 100 and/or restart the vaporizer device 100 in a certain state), a battery charger 133, and a battery regulator 134 (which may regulate the battery output, regulate charging/discharging of the battery, and provide alerts to indicate when the battery charge is low, etc.).

[0039]The power pins 122a,b of the vaporizer body 110 engage complementary power pin receptacles 160a,b of the cartridge 150 when the cartridge 150 is engaged with the vaporizer body 110. Alternatively, the power pins may be part of the cartridge 150 for engaging complementary power pin receptacles of the vaporizer body 110. The engagement allows for the transfer of energy from an internal power source (e.g., the battery 124) to the heater 166 in the cartridge 150. The controller 128 may regulate the power flow (e.g., an amount or current and/or a voltage amount) to control a temperature at which the heater 166 heats a vaporizable material contained in the reservoir 158. According to implementations of the current subject matter, a variety of electrical connectors other than a pogo-pin and complementary pin receptacle configuration may be used to electrically connect the vaporizer body 110 and the cartridge 150, such as for example, a plug and socket connector.

[0040]The controller 128 may control and/or communicate with optics circuitry 135 (which controls and/or communicates with one or more displays such as LEDs 136), a pressure sensor 137, an ambient pressure sensor 138, an accelerometer 139, and/or a speaker 140 configured to generate sound or other feedback to a user.

[0041]The pressure sensor 137 may be configured to sense a user drawing (i.e., inhaling) on the mouthpiece 152 and activate the heater control circuitry 130 of the vaporizer body 110 to accordingly control the heater 166 of the cartridge 150. In this way, the amount of current supplied to the heater 166 may be varied according to the user's draw (e.g., additional current may be supplied during a draw, but reduced when there is not a draw taking place). The ambient pressure sensor 138 may be included for atmospheric reference to reduce sensitivity to ambient pressure changes and may be utilized to reduce false positives potentially detected by the pressure sensor 137 when measuring draws from the mouthpiece 152. Draw detection may be done in other ways as well (e.g., using other types of sensors, such as capacitive touch sensor that detects lip or hand contact with the vaporizer device).

[0042]The accelerometer 139 (and/or other motion sensors, capacitive sensors, flow sensors, strain gauge(s), or the like) may be used to detect user handling and interaction, for example, to detect movement of the vaporizer body 110 (such as, for example, tapping, rolling, and/or any other deliberate movement associated with the vaporizer body 110). The detected movements may be interpreted by the controller 128 as one or more predefined user commands. For example, one particular movement may be a user command to gradually increase the temperature of the heater 166 as the user intends to begin using the vaporizer device 100. Alternatively, or additionally, the cartridge may be inserted and/or removed in a predetermined pattern (e.g., remove the cartridge from the receptable and wait 5 seconds before re-inserting), and this predetermined pattern may be mapped to a user command, such as increase or decrease temperature of the heater.

[0043]Alternatively, or additionally, the vaporizer body 110, as shown in FIG. 2, may include wireless communication circuitry 142 that is connected to and/or controlled by the controller 128, although some implementations may not include wireless circuitry. The wireless communication circuitry 142 may include a near-field communication (NFC) antenna that is configured to read from and/or write to the tag 164 of the cartridge 150 and also automatically detect a cartridge 150. The wireless communication circuitry 142 may include additional components/circuitry for other communication modes, such as, for example, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, and/or Wi-Fi chips and associated circuitry (e.g., control circuitry), for communication with other devices. For example, the vaporizer body 110 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote processor (e.g., smartphone, tablet, wearable electronics, cloud server, and/or the like) through the wireless communication circuitry 142, and through this communication may receive control information and/or configuration parameters (e.g., information or parameters for setting temperature (i.e., a predetermined temperature), setting a dose (i.e., a predetermined dose), resetting a dose counter, etc.) from and/or transmit output information (e.g., dose information, operational information, error information, temperature setting information, charge/battery information, etc.) to one or more of the remote processors. The tag 164, as previously described, may be a type of wireless transceiver and may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) 190, a memory 191, and an antenna 192 (e.g., an NFC antenna) to perform the various functionalities described below with further reference to FIG. 3. The tag 164 may be, for example, a 1 Kbit or a 2 Kbit NFC tag that is of type ISO/IEC 15693. NFC tags with other specifications may also be used.

[0044]The vaporizer body 110 may include a haptics system 144, such as, for example, an actuator, a linear resonant actuator (LRA), an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motor, or the like that provide haptic feedback such as, for example, a vibration as a “find my device” feature or as a control or other type of user feedback signal.

[0045]The vaporizer body 110 may also include a connection 118 (e.g., USB-C connection, micro-USB connection, and/or other types of connectors) for coupling the vaporizer body to a charger to enable charging the battery 124. Alternatively or additionally, electrical inductive charging (also referred to as wireless charging) may be used, in which case the vaporizer body 110 would include inductive charging circuitry to enable charging. The connection 118 at FIG. 2 may also be used for a data connection between a computing device and the controller 128, which may facilitate development activities such as, for example, programming and debugging, for example.

[0046]The vaporizer body 110 may also include a memory 146 that is part of the controller 128 or is in communication with the controller 128. The memory 146 may include volatile and/or non-volatile memory or provide data storage. In some implementations, the memory 146 may include 8 Mbit of flash memory, although the memory is not limited to this and other types of memory may be implemented as well.

[0047]As mentioned above, the vaporizer device 100 may include the cartridge 150 configured to operatively couple with the vaporizer body 110. In some implementations, the cartridge 150 is disposable whereas the vaporizer body 110 is durable and/or re-usable. The cartridge 150 may also be configured to be reused as described elsewhere herein.

[0048]FIGS. 3A-3F depict various views of a cartridge 350, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3A depicts a top perspective view of the cartridge 350; FIG. 3B depicts a bottom perspective view of the cartridge 350; FIG. 3C depicts a front view of the cartridge 350; FIG. 3D depicts a side view of the cartridge 350; FIG. 3E depicts a bottom view of the cartridge 350; and FIG. 3F depicts a top view of the cartridge 350. FIGS. 5A-5C depict cross sectional views of the cartridge 350, where FIG. 5A shows a front cross section, FIG. 5B depicts a cross-section view of the cartridge 350 from a bottom perspective, FIG. 5C depicts a cross-section view of the cartridge 350 from a top perspective, and 5D depicts a see through perspective view of the cartridge 350.

[0049]The cartridge 350 may inserted into a vaporizer body cartridge receptacle, such as cartridge receptacle 114 (FIG. 1A). The cartridge 350 may include a cartridge body 356 defining, at least in part, a reservoir which is also referred to as a tank 358 that is configured to contain a vaporizable material. The tank or reservoir 358 is configured to store a vaporizable material. The cartridge may also include a mouthpiece 352 and a vaporizing assembly that includes vapor-generating components positioned within the cartridge body 356 and configured to vaporize the vaporizable material. Each will be described in more detail below.

[0050]The cartridge body 356 can be divided, generally, into a proximal end region 356A, a central region 356B, and a distal end region 356C (see also FIG. 5A). The proximal end region 356A of the cartridge body 356 can be coupled to the mouthpiece 352 configured to deliver the vapor to the user. A tank (also referred to as a reservoir) 358 is defined, at least in part by, the proximal end region 356A and the central region 356B of the cartridge body 356 and is configured to contain an amount of the vaporizable material. The central region 356B and the distal end region 356C may house one or more components configured to vaporize the material from the tank 358 into a vaporization chamber 3005 (see, e.g., FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B). The mouthpiece 352 is configured to interface with the user to release the vapor from the vaporization chamber 3005 to the user through one or more openings 354 in the mouthpiece 352, for example, upon the user drawing a breath through a vaporizer device, such as vaporizer device 100.

[0051]FIG. 4A depicts an exploded view of the cartridge 350, while FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show cut away views of cartridge 350. The mouthpiece 352 may include at least one absorbent pad 370A positioned within the mouthpiece 352.

[0052]The at least one absorbent pad 370A is positioned in the mouthpiece 352 to absorb fluid such as condensation or other fluid that that may be present within the mouthpiece. For example, an internal volume 3010 of the mouthpiece 352 may include a region (for example, near the proximal end 353 of the cartridge 350 adjacent to the opening 354 of the mouthpiece 352), such that the region is configured to contain at least one absorbent pad 370A within the internal volume 3010. The at least one absorbent pad 370A may be positioned within the internal volume 3010 of the mouthpiece 352 near or proximate to the mouthpiece opening 354 through which vapor may be inhaled by drawing breath through the vaporizer device 100, such that it may capture moisture just prior to inhalation by the user. The at least one pad 370A may be pushed against the interior surface of the mouthpiece 352 or may be pulled away from interior walls to maximize the surface area available for moisture absorption. The at least one pad may have any of a variety of shapes including rectangular, circular, ovoid, triangular, square, ring, or other shape. The size and shape of the at least one pad 370A may be selected to minimize interference with the vapor path through the openings 154 while maximizing moisture and particle collection. Thus, the at least one pad 370A may capture deposited and/or condensed liquid from the vapor flowing through the cartridge 350 without requiring the vapor to pass through the at least one pad 370A. For example, the at least one pad 370A may be positioned within the mouthpiece 352 such that the pad 370A is generally off-axis relative to the opening 354 allowing unobstructed vapor flow through the opening 354. In the example of FIG. 4A, the at least one pad 370A is depicted as a flattened disk defining a central opening 3040A and thus, has a ring-like shape. It should be appreciated the pad 370A may have a ring shape but need not be a circular ring-shaped object. Rather, the absorbent pad 370A may be a flat, non-circular ring having a perimeter in the shape of an oval, ellipse, or rectangle. In the example of FIG. 4A, an external surface of the mouthpiece 352 may define the opening 354 into the internal volume as a narrow, elongate slit. The central opening 3040A of the at least one pad 370A may have a shape that corresponds or substantially corresponds to a shape of the opening 354 such that it may surround the opening 354 as also shown at FIG. 5A.

[0053]Referring again to the exploded view of FIG. 4A, the cartridge 350 may include a silicon seal 1372. The silicon seal 1372 is used to cap a proximal end 3580 of the tank 358 to prevent vaporizable material from leaking out of the proximal end 3580 of the tank 358. Although the silicon seal 1372 is described as being composed of silicon, other materials may be used as well in the silicon seal 372. Referring to FIGS. 4A-C and 5A-5C for example, the silicon seal 1372 is configured such that the silicon seal inserts into the proximal end 3580 of the tank 358. Moreover, the silicon seal includes an opening 3720 through which a proximal end 3888A of the cannula 372 is inserted. The silicon seal 1372 thus serves as a bung to close the proximal opening 3580 of the tank 358, while providing an opening 3720 for the cannula 372.

[0054]In some embodiments, there are two sizes for the silicon seal 1372. For example, the silicon seal 1372 may be sized to have a first size that when inserted into the proximal end 3888A of the cannula 372 allows a first volume, such as 0.5 grams of vaporizable material in the tank 358. In the example of FIG. 4A for example, the seal 1372 includes the opening 3720, the seal plugs the tank/reservoir to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material in the reservoir. Moreover, the opening 3720 has a diameter that is sized for the first diameter of the proximal end 3888A of the cannula. Alternatively, the silicon seal 1372 may be sized to have a second size that when inserted into the proximal end 3888A of the cannula 372 allows a second volume, such as 1.0 gram of vaporizable material in the tank 358. In this way, the same sized tank 358 may accommodate two different capacities by simply using a different silicon seal 1372. FIG. 4B depicts the silicon seal 1372 includes an opening 3720 sized for a first volume of 1.0 grams of vaporizable material in the tank 358. FIG. 4C depicts the silicon seal 1372 includes an opening 3720 sized for a first volume of 0.5 grams of vaporizable material in the tank 358. Referring to the example of FIG. 4B, the insertion depth of the silicon seal into the tank is about 2.2 millimeters (mm) with a length of about 14.5 and a width of about 6.8 mm as shown, although other sizes may be realized as well. Referring to the example of FIG. 4C, the insertion depth of the silicon seal into the tank is about 7.2 to 9.2 mm with a length of about 14.5 and a width of about 6.8 mm as shown, although other sizes may be realized as well. By using two different sized silicon seals 1372, the capacity of the tank 358 may be varied to accommodate 1.0 gram or 0.5 gram of vaporizable material in the same cartridge. Moreover, the use of two different sized silicon seals 1372 (as shown in the example of FIGS. 4B and 4C) reduces the head space (which is the air gap in the reservoir). Reducing the head space in the reservoir can also reduce leakage in the reservoir. And, the use of two different sized silicon seals 1372 (as shown in the example of FIGS. 4B and 4C) improves manufacturing flexibility.

[0055]The cannula 372 comprises a cylindrical shape having at a proximal end 3888A of the cannula a first diameter and having at the distal end 3721 of the cannula a second diameter. The second diameter is sized to accommodate the insertion of the atomizer 378 and atomizer wrapper 378, such that the atomizer wrapper makes contact with the interior surface of the cannula (while the atomizer wrapper makes contact with the exterior surface of the atomizer). A mid-portion 3722 of cannula is tapered in diameter from the first diameter to the second diameter. The vaporization chamber 3005 is defined in part by the interior of the cannula at the mid-portion 3722. This tapered shape configuration of the cannula can advantageously assist in securing the vaporizer and/or provide a Bernoulli effect with respect to the airflow. Alternatively, or additionally, the cannula may not have this tapered configuration (in which case the first, second, and mid-portion all have the same inner (and outer) diameter).

[0056]In the example of FIG. 4A for example, the atomizer wrapper and the atomizer both have cylindrical shapes with a longitudinal axis along the longitudinal axis (A) of the cartridge 350. The atomizer wrapper has an internal diameter sized to fit the exterior diameter of the atomizer and has an external diameter sized to fit the interior diameter of the cannula.

[0057]FIG. 4D illustrates views of the cannula 372, in accordance with an implementation example. The following depicts an example of the dimensions of the cannula 372, although other dimensions may be realized as well. At 499A and D, a side view is depicted of the cannula 372, and at 499B, a cross-sectional view along A-A 499C is shown. The cannula 372 in this example has a cylindrical shape having at a proximal end 3888A a first inner diameter of 0.10 mm (with a wall thickness of 0.011 mm). At the distal end 3721, the cannula 372 has a second inner diameter of 0.19 mm (with a wall thickness of 0.011 mm). For example, the second inner diameter is sized to accommodate the insertion of the atomizer 378 and atomizer wrapper 378, such that the atomizer wrapper makes contact with the interior surface of the cannula (while the atomizer wrapper makes contact with the exterior surface of the atomizer). As noted, the cannula 372 includes a tapered region 488X. This tapered region tapers from a first outer diameter of 0.21 mm (of the distal portion or region 488Y of the cannula) to a second outer diameter of 0.13 (of the proximal portion or region 488Z of the cannula). In the example, the tapered region 488X has a length of 7 mm, the distal portion 488Y has a length of 0.43 mm, and the proximal region 488Z has a length of 0.44. At 499D, the at least one reservoir opening 399A is located a distance of 0.22 mm from the distal end 3721 of the cannula. Another reservoir opening 399B (occluded by the perspective of 499D) may be located opposite the reservoir opening 399B a distance of 0.22 mm from the distal end 3721 of the cannula.

[0058]FIG. 4E depicts an example of an atomizer comprising ceramic with co-molded or embedded wire mesh, in accordance with some embodiments. At FIG. 4E, a wire (e.g., nichrome wire) forms a circular mesh 666A, such that when power is applied to leads 3780A-B, the wire mesh 666A generates heat. In the example of FIG. 4E, the atomizer 666B comprises the wire mesh 666A embedded in ceramic (e.g., by co-molding the ceramic and wire mesh 666A), such that when power is applied to leads 3780A-B, the wire mesh 666A generates heat which in turn heats the ceramic (as well as vaporizable material when present in the vessel). In the example of FIG. 4E, the atomizer has an outer diameter of 4 mm and an inner diameter of 2 mm (as shown by the top view at 378) and a length of 6 mm.

[0059]FIG. 4F depicts an example of a wrapper 376 for the atomizer, in accordance with some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 4F, the wrapper 376 is in an unrolled state (i.e., before wrapping the atomizer) to show the wrapper's dimensions. In the example of FIG. 4F, the wrapper has a length of 32 mm, a width of 6.5 mm, and a thickness of 0.32 mm. The wrapper may be composed of a non-woven viscose fiber, although other absorbent materials may be used as well.

[0060]The vaporization chamber 3005 is defined in part by the interior of the cannula at the mid-portion 3722. In the example of FIG. 4A for example, the atomizer wrapper and the atomizer both have cylindrical shapes with a longitudinal axis along the longitudinal axis (A) of the cartridge 350. The atomizer wrapper has an internal diameter sized to fit the exterior diameter of the atomizer and has an external diameter sized to fit the interior diameter of the cannula.

[0061]Continuing to refer to exploded view of FIG. 4A, the cartridge 350 may include an outer gasket 374. The outer gasket 374 is positioned around the external surface of the tank 358. The outer gasket 374 helps to restrict some of the cold air intake pressure (when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer body via the cartridge receptacle 114), and the outer gasket mitigates movement of the cartridge when installed in the cartridge receptable 114. For example, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 114 of the vaporizer body 110, the outer gasket 374 serves to restrict airflow and reduce movement of the cartridge within the cartridge receptable.

[0062]Referring again to the exploded view of FIG. 4A, the cartridge 350 may include a cannula 372 (also referred to as a chimney or “air path and atomizer housing”). Referring additionally to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the cannula 372 may extend from the distal end region 356A of the cartridge 350 through the tank 358 to the proximal end region 356A of the cartridge body 356. As best shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the proximal end region 356A of the cartridge body 156 defines a central channel 3015 that extends to an opening that may be coaxially aligned with the opening 354 through the proximal end surface of the mouthpiece 352. A proximal top 3888A of the cannula 372 is encircled by the silicon gasket 1372. As noted, the silicon gasket 1372 may seal with the surface of the cannula 372 and the upper end of the tank to thus provide an air path (as depicted by the dashed arrows).

[0063]The distal end 3721 of the cannula 372 may be sized to enable the atomizer 378 and atomizer wrapper 376 to fit within an interior volume of the cannula 372. The atomizer 378 may serve a heater that heats vaporizable material to form a vapor and/or aerosol which is inhaled by a user at the mouthpiece.

[0064]The atomizer 378 may include leads 3780A-B, through which a current or voltage can be applied to heat the atomizer. To illustrate further, as current or voltage is applied to the lead 3780A-B, a wire (coupled to the leads 3780A-B) of the atomizer heats to a temperature to vaporize the vaporizable material. In the example of FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B, the atomizer is composed at least in part of ceramic. As used herein, “ceramic” refers to a material that can be considered hard and chemically non-reactive and can be formed or densified with heat. Examples of ceramics include clay, brick, tile, glass, cement, and/or the like. In some embodiment, the ceramic includes a wire composed of nichrome, copper, stainless steel, other metals, or combinations thereof. For example, the wire may form a coil around the external surface of the ceramic or the interior surface of the ceramic. Alternatively, or additionally, the ceramic may embed the wire. Alternatively, or additionally, the wire embedded in the ceramic may be formed into a coil or a mesh. In some embodiments, the atomizer 378 comprises an inner cavity 373 that allows an air flow to travel through a channel formed by the inner cavity 373. The atomizer 378 may as noted include a heating element such as nichrome. Alternatively, or additionally, the atomizer may be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and a convective heater. Certain vaporizers may also or alternatively be configured to create an inhalable dose of gas-phase and/or aerosol-phase vaporizable material via heating of a non-liquid vaporizable material, such as for example a solid-phase vaporizable material or plant material containing the vaporizable material. In such vaporizers, a resistive heating element may be part of or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with the walls of an oven or other heating chamber into which the non-liquid vaporizable material is placed. Alternatively, a resistive heating element or elements may be used to heat air passing through or past the non-liquid vaporizable material to cause convective heating of the non-liquid vaporizable material. In still other examples, a resistive heating element or elements may be disposed in intimate contact with plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within a mass of the plant material (e.g., as opposed to only by conduction inward from walls of an oven).

[0065]The atomizer 378 may be wrapped in an atomizer wrapper 376. The atomizer wrapper may be composed of a wicking material, such as cotton or other material, that wicks vaporable material from the tank 358 to the atomizer 378. Referring to FIG. 5A, at least one opening, such as reservoir openings 399A-B, in the tank 358 allow the atomizer wrapper 376 to wick (e.g., absorb by capillary action) the vaporizable material (which is contained in the tank) to the atomizer 378. In other words, the atomizer wrapper 376 is configured to wick vaporizable material from at least one opening (e.g., 399A or 399B) to the atomizer 378 to enable the atomizer to heat and vaporize the vaporizable material In this way, as the atomizer 378 is heated, the vaporized material is vaporized.

[0066]In some embodiments, the atomizer 378's distal end 398B and proximal end 398A form a longitudinal plane 3981 (FIG. 5C) that runs parallel to the interior of the cannula and the corresponding air flow through the cannula. In alternative embodiments, the atomizer distal end and proximal end from a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal plane 3981.

[0067]Referring again to the exploded view of FIG. 4A, the cartridge 350 may include the tank 358. The tank 358 may be arranged to surround the cannula 372, which may be positioned coaxial with the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 350. The reservoir 358 may thereby be generally ring-shaped such that the outer wall(s) of the reservoir 158 are formed by the cartridge body 356 and the inner wall(s) of the reservoir 358 are formed by the central cannula 372 extending through the reservoir 358. The reservoir 358 need not be arranged symmetrically around the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 350 with the central cannula 372 extending through it as other configurations may be implemented as well.

[0068]Referring again to the exploded view of FIG. 4A, the cartridge 350 may include a distal member 360 (also referred to as a bottom member). The distal member provides the bottom portion of the tank 358 and includes an opening into which the distal end 3721 of the cannula 372 can be configured. The distal member also includes openings for air inlets 333A and 333B and openings to contain receptables 362A and 362B. Referring also to FIG. 5A, the distal member includes a first air inlet 333A receiving a first air flow and a second air inlet 333B receiving a second air flow, wherein the distal member combines the first air flow and the second air flow in an airflow and provides the airflow to a distal opening of the cannula, where the atomizer heats the vaporizable material to generate vapor which is carried in the airflow towards a proximal end of the cannula, the airflow exiting the cannula split within the mouthpiece into two flows before exiting at least two openings in the mouthpiece.

[0069]The cartridge 350 may include the receptacles 362A and 362B. The receptacles are positioned at the distal end of the cartridge body. The receptacles are configured to allow pins to make contact with the receptacles and thus couple electrically with a source of power.

[0070]The cartridge 350 may include at least one bottom absorber pad 370B. The at least one bottom absorber pad 370B may be positioned at the distal end of the bottom cap 382, such that the at least one bottom absorber pad 370B can absorb any liquid or condensation that may occur within the mouthpiece. The at least one bottom pad may prevent or reduce the flow of fluid into and out of the bottom cap of the cartridge. The at least one bottom absorber pad may have any of a variety of shapes including rectangular, circular, ovoid, triangular, square, ring, or other shape. The size and shape of the at least one bottom absorber pad may be selected to minimize interference with the vapor path while maximizing moisture and particle collection. In the example of FIG. 4A, the at least one bottom absorber pad is depicted as a flattened disk defining a central opening 3040B and thus, has a ring-like shape. It should be appreciated the bottom pad may have a ring shape but need not be a circular ring-shaped object. Rather, the absorbent bottom may be a flat, non-circular ring having a perimeter in the shape of an oval, ellipse, or rectangle. In the example of FIG. 4A, the interior surface of the bottom cap 382 may define the shape of the bottom pad 370B (e.g., including a channel or ridge 386 in which the bottom pad is positioned.

[0071]Referring again to the exploded view of FIG. 4A, the cartridge 350 may include a bottom cap 382 (also referred to as a bottom member). The bottom cap slides over the distal member 360 and fixedly attach to the distal member 360. Moreover, the bottom cap may contain the least one bottom absorber pad 370B. Alternatively, or additionally, the bottom cap may be opaque and thus not provide a view of the distal portion 356C of the cartridge 350.

[0072]In some implementations, the vaporizable material is cannabis oil. Cannabis oils can present particular challenges when vaporized using a cartridge and a vaporizer device. For example, cannabis oil is relatively sticky and viscous, particularly once it dries out. Thus, leakage may be a more serious consideration and challenge compared to other aqueous vaporizable materials. In particular, leakage of cannabis oil may result in clogging of the device and disturbing the electrical components, particularly the electrical contacts. The dried oil can also disrupt the electrical control of the vaporizer device due to its electrically insulating properties. The cartridges described herein may in certain implementations provide robust leak-resistant designs and may be configured to be used with viscous oil-based vaporizable materials, such as cannabis oil that can have a viscosity at room temperature of between about 40 cP and 113 KcP.

[0073]As mentioned, the cartridge body 356 can be divided generally into the upper, proximal end region 356A, the lower, distal end region 356C, and the central region 356B located between the proximal and distal end regions 356A, 356C as shown at FIGS. 3A and 5A. The upper, proximal end region 356A of the cartridge body 356 is configured to fixedly couple with the mouthpiece 352, for example, by inserting within an internal volume 1010 of the mouthpiece 352 such that an exterior surface of the cartridge body near the upper proximal end region 356A seals with an inner surface of the mouthpiece 352. The proximal end region 356A of the cartridge body 156 can define a central channel 3015 for directing vapor (which travels as shown by the airpath depicted by the arrows at FIG. 5A from the vaporization chamber 3005 towards the one or more openings 154 through the mouthpiece 152. The lower, distal end region 356C of the cartridge body may house components configured to couple with the vaporizer body 110, for example, by inserting within the cartridge receptacle 114. The reservoir 358 is defined by hollow portions of the central region 356B and the proximal end region 356A of the cartridge body 156.

[0074]The distal end region 356C of the cartridge body 356 may be configured to couple to and be secured with a vaporizer body 110, for example, by inserting within the cartridge receptacle 114 as shown at FIG. 1A. The cartridge receptacle 114 may have a proximal opening and an inner diameter sufficient to receive the outer diameter of the distal end region 356C of the cartridge body 356. Additionally, the cartridge receptacle 114 may have a depth sufficient to slide the cartridge body 356 into the cartridge receptacle 114 up to about the level of the mouthpiece 352. Thus, the walls of the cartridge receptacle 114 may surround the cartridge body 356 on all four sides of the distal end region 356C and the central region 356B. Other configurations of coupling between the cartridge body 156 and the vaporizer body 110 are considered herein. For example, in some implementations, the cartridge body 356 may insert within the cartridge receptacle 114 from a side opening rather than from a proximal opening. Alternatively, in some implementations, the cartridge body 356 need not insert within a receptacle that fully surrounds the distal end region 356C of the cartridge body 356, for example, if the cartridge body 356 and vaporizer body 110 form a seal sufficient to sense a pressure drop. The cartridge body 356 may include a receptacle configured to receive a proximal end region of the vaporizer device 100. In another implementation, the cartridge body 356 may insert within a slot of the vaporizer body 110 such that at least one wall of the distal end region 356C of the cartridge body 356 forms an outer surface and completes the outer contour of the vaporizer device 100 upon coupling between the cartridge 350 and the vaporizer body 110. The cartridge body and the vaporizer body 110 may also snap together on their respective distal and proximal ends without the exterior walls of the cartridge body 356 being contained by or covered by a receptacle wall of the vaporizer body 110. For example, the distal end 356C of the cartridge body 356 may include a coupling mechanism configured to fixedly attach and seal with the proximal end of the vaporizer body 110.

[0075]The cartridge 350 can couple within the cartridge receptacle 114 by a friction-fit, snap-fit, and/or other types of secure connection. In some implementations, any of a variety of complementary coupling features may be incorporated, including but not limited to tab, indent, magnetic lock, channel, rim, lip, ridge, protrusion, groove, rib, etc., that are configured to engage with a complementary feature (not shown) of the vaporizer body 110. For example, in some implementations the cartridge 350 and vaporizer body 110 may incorporate one or more coupling features having corresponding male and female parts that allow the cartridge 350 to snap into place in operable contact with the vaporizer body 110. The distal end region 356C of the cartridge body may include substantially straight or inwardly tapered sides and include one or more coupling features that secure the cartridge 150 within the cartridge receptacle 114 of the vaporizer body 110. The one or more coupling features may be configured to engage with a complementary feature on the vaporizer body 110, such as within the cartridge receptacle 114, when the cartridge 350 engages with the vaporizer body 110. For example, the one or more coupling features may be male parts such as a pair of tabs or a circumferential rib on an outer surface of the distal end region 356C of the cartridge body 356 that inserts within a complementary female part such as a pair of indents or a circumferential groove on an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 114. The male parts may snap into the female parts upon downward insertion of the cartridge 350 within the cartridge receptacle 114 to provide a secure fit and reversed upon withdrawing the cartridge 350 upward out of the cartridge receptacle 114.

[0076]The cartridge 350 may have an elongate and flattened tubular body extending in a distal to a proximal axis (longitudinal axis A at FIG. 5C, for example). The cartridge 350 may be described as having a length (sometimes referred to herein as a height), a width, and a depth (sometimes referred to herein as a thickness). The height is a length from the proximal end to the distal end of the cartridge 150 along the longitudinal axis A (see, for example, FIG. 5C). The width of the cartridge is measured transverse the longitudinal axis A along a major axis of the cartridge 350 and thus refers to the length of the longer sides of the cartridge. The depth of the cartridge 350 is also measured transverse the longitudinal axis A, but along the minor axis of the cartridge 350 and thus refers to the length of the shorter sides. The width may be 1.2 times, 1.3 times, 1.4 times, 1.5 times, 1.6 times, 1.7 times, 1.8 times, 1.9 times, etc. or greater than the depth. The cartridge 350 may be between about 1 cm and 10 cm long, between about 2 cm and 7 cm long, between 3 cm and 5 cm long. The length of the cartridge 150 may be less than 8 cm, less than 7 cm, less than 6 cm, less than 5.5 cm, less than 5 cm, etc. In some implementations, the cartridge 350 may have a total length of about 37.21 cm (including the mouthpiece), a width (i.e., across the major axis of the cartridge) of about 18.38 mm, and a depth (i.e., across the minor axis of the cartridge) of about 10.1 mm. The mouthpiece in this example may have a total length of about 19.7 mm, a width (i.e., across the major axis of the cartridge) of about 18.38 mm, and a depth (i.e., across the minor axis of the cartridge) of about 10.1 mm.

[0077]Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the atomizer assembly (e.g., atomizer 378 and wrapper 376) are positioned at a base portion 366A of the reservoir (e.g., tank 358) and extends longitudinally (e.g., along the axis A) into a central region 356C of the cartridge. For example, the distal member 360 may include an opening 8633 configured to fit the atomizer 378, wrapper 376, and cannula 372 (see, e.g., FIG. 5B). Moreover, the distal member's opening 8633 may provide a path for the leads 3780A-B, such that the leads can make electrical contact with receptacles 362A-B. In the example shown, the atomizer wrapper 376 and the atomizer 378 both have cylindrical shapes. The atomizer wrapper has an internal cavity 8640 with an internal diameter sized to fit an exterior diameter of the atomizer, such that the atomizer is positioned within the internal cavity of the atomizer wrapper. Moreover, the atomizer assembly (e.g., the atomizer 378 and atomizer wrapper 376) forms an axis that is coaxially aligned with a central axis running through the cartridge and the cannula (and up through the mouthpiece).

[0078]The cross-sectional shape of the cartridge body 356 may be any of a variety of shapes, including circular, round, or non-round shapes, such as an approximately oval, elliptical, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, or other cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape may be geometric or free-form shape. Non-round shapes, particularly flattened shapes may be preferred to prevent rolling when the vaporizer device 100 is placed on its side. The shape of the cartridge 350, including the cartridge body 356 and the mouthpiece 352, resembles or is a continuation of the general shape of the vaporizer body 110 such that upon coupling the cartridge 350 and the vaporizer body 110 together, the vaporizer device 100 has a substantially sleek profile. The coupling between the cartridge 350 and the vaporizer body 110 may allow for the vaporizer device 100 to have continuous edges that provide a seamless unibody profile from end to end.

[0079]Again, with respect to FIG. 4A, FIG. 5A-5D, and FIG. 6, the proximal end region 356A of the cartridge body 356 is configured to couple with the mouthpiece 352. The mouthpiece 352 can include an internal volume sized such that the mouthpiece 352 may be attached over the proximal end region 356A of the cartridge body 356. As such, the mouthpiece 352 may form the proximal end of the cartridge 350. The mouthpiece 352 may have an external surface that is generally amenable to a user placing their lips over the proximal end 353 of the mouthpiece 352 to inhale the vapor. The external surface of the mouthpiece 352 may have a variety of configurations. In some implementations, the external surface may have smooth edges that are pleasing to the lips and tongue. The mouthpiece may also have a length (which is along the longitudinal axis A sufficient) to be inserted between the lips for inhaling. As mentioned above, the cartridge 350 may have a total length along the longitudinal axis A from the proximal end to the distal end that is between about 3 cm and 5 cm, a width (i.e., across the major axis of the cartridge) of between about 1 cm and about 2 cm, and a depth (i.e., across the minor axis of the cartridge) of between about 0.5 cm and about 1 cm. In some implementations, the mouthpiece 152 may have a length along the longitudinal axis A that is about 0.5 cm, about 0.75 cm, about 1 cm, about 1.25 cm, about 1.5 cm, about 1.75 cm, about 2.0 cm, about 2.25 cm, about 2.5 cm, up to about 3.0 cm in length. The length of the mouthpiece 352 along the longitudinal axis A may be a fraction of the total length of the cartridge 150 as a whole, for example, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, up to about 50% the total length of the cartridge 150. As described elsewhere herein, the cartridge 150 may be somewhat flattened in shape creating a rectangular shape such that a width of the cartridge 150 is greater than the depth. The mouthpiece 152 of the cartridge may also have a somewhat flattened shape. For example, the mouthpiece 152 may have a length that is about 1.5 cm, a width (across the major axis) that is about 1.7 cm, and a depth (across the minor axis) that is about 0.85 cm. It should be appreciated that the proximal end region of the mouthpiece 152 may taper slightly such that the thickness of the mouthpiece 152 across the minor axis may be less at the proximal end than the thickness at the distal end of the mouthpiece 152. The one or more openings 354 may extend through the proximal end surface 353 into the internal volume of the mouthpiece 352 as shown at for example FIG. 5B. The one or more openings 154 allow for the vapor produced within the cartridge 350 to be inhaled by the user. The one or more openings 354 may be aligned with the central, longitudinal axis A of the device or positioned off-set from the longitudinal axis A. The relative size of the one or more openings 354 may be minimized to hide from view internal components positioned beneath the mouthpiece 352 from the proximal end 353 of the cartridge 150 and aid in reducing the amount of dirt/lint that may enter the mouthpiece 352, while at the same time being of sufficient size to permit the sufficient flow of vapor to the user. In some implementations, the one or more openings 354 through the proximal end surface of the mouthpiece 152 is a single, elongate slot that has a relatively narrow width providing a generally thin, rectangular shape to the opening 354. However, other shapes, sizes, and/or configurations of the mouthpiece opening 354 may be utilized. For example, the mouthpiece opening 354 may be an oval shape, or two more openings of the same or different shapes may be used.

[0080]In some implementations, the elongated opening 554 may have a length along the major axis of the mouthpiece 352 that is a fraction of the total width of the mouthpiece 352 along the major axis. For example, the opening 354 may have a length that is at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, up to at least about 90% of the total width of the mouthpiece along the major axis. The elongate opening 354 may have a narrow width along the minor axis of the mouthpiece 352. For example, the opening 354 may have a width that is no greater than 50%, no greater than 45%, no greater than 40%, no greater than 35%, no greater than 30%, no greater than 25%, no greater than 20%, no greater than 15%, or no greater than 10% of the total width of the mouthpiece along the minor axis. For example, the width of the mouthpiece along the major axis may be about 2 cm and the width of the mouthpiece 352 along the minor axis may be about 1 cm. The opening 354 of the mouthpiece 352 may have a length along the major axis that is about 0.5 cm to about 1.8 cm and a width along the minor axis that is about 0.1 cm to about 0.5 cm. In some implementations, the opening 354 of the mouthpiece 352 has a length that is about 10 mm, about 11 m, about 12 mm, about 13 mm, about 14 mm, up to about 15 mm and has a width of about 1 mm, 1.25 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 1.75 mm, about 2 mm, about 2.25 mm, about 2.5 mm, up to about 3 mm. The dimensions of the opening 354 may vary. The dimensions of the opening 354 may be sufficient to allow vapor to be easily drawn through the opening 354 while the internal components within the cartridge 350 are substantially hidden from view.

[0081]The mouthpiece 352 may couple (e.g., snap-fit) onto the proximal end region 356A of the cartridge body 156 to snugly mate with the cartridge body 356. The configuration of the coupling between the cartridge body 356 and the mouthpiece 352 may vary. The coupling may incorporate corresponding male and female parts configured to mate together. For example, an inner surface of the mouthpiece 352 (or the external surface of the cartridge body 356) may incorporate a lip, flange, rib, or other outwardly projecting coupling feature configured to slide past and/or into a corresponding feature on an exterior surface of the cartridge body 356 (or the inner surface of the mouthpiece 352). Referring to FIG. 5B for example, the cartridge 352 may include at least one notch 392A on the exterior surface that is configured to engage or mate with at least one recess 393A on the exterior surface of the reservoir or tank. In the example of FIG. 5B, there is an opposing notch 392B and an opposing recess 393B. In this way, the mouthpiece slidably attaches to the external surface of the proximal end of the reservoir/tank, such that the mouthpiece fixedly attaches to the tank (reservoir) and cartridge body. As such, the mouthpiece 352 may be permanently affixed to the cartridge body 356 by the coupling. Alternatively, or additionally, the mouthpiece may be configured such that it is removable from the cartridge body. For example, the mouthpiece may be removed from the cartridge body in order to refill the reservoir and attached again following refilling for reuse (although the cartridge may, as noted, be disposable and not configured to be refilled).

[0082]The cartridge 350 may include a vaporizing assembly of vapor-generating components. The vapor-generating components may include the atomizer 378 and the atomizer wrapper 376. The vapor-generating components may be arranged as an atomizer or cartomizer or oven. The vapor may be released to a vaporization chamber 3005 where the gas phase vapor may condense, forming an aerosol cloud having typical liquid vapor particles with particles having a diameter of average mass of approximately 1 micron or greater. In some cases, the diameter of average mass may be approximately 0.1-1 micron.

[0083]The atomizer 378 of the vaporizing assembly may cause the vaporizable material to be converted from a condensed form (e.g., a solid, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a part of an at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to the gas phase. After conversion of the vaporizable material to the gas phase, and depending on the type of vaporizer, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporizable material, and/or other factors, at least some of the gas-phase vaporizable material may condense to form particulate matter in at least a partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of an aerosol, which may form some or all of an inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer for a given puff or draw on the vaporizer. It will be understood that the interplay between gas and condensed phases in an aerosol generated by a vaporizer may be complex and dynamic, as factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, flow conditions in airflow paths (both inside the vaporizer and in the airways of a human or other animal), mixing of the gas-phase or aerosol-phase vaporizable material with other air streams, etc., may affect one or more physical parameters of an aerosol. In some vaporizers, and particularly for vaporizers for delivery of more volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose may exist predominantly in the gas phase (i.e., formation of condensed phase particles may be very limited).

[0084]Vaporizers for use with liquid vaporizable materials (e.g., neat liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, etc.) typically include an atomizer in which a wicking element (which in the example of cartridge 350 is a wick wrapper although other types of wicking elements may be used as well). The atomizer wrapper may be composed of a cotton or absorbent material capable of wicking (e.g., drawing) fluid from the tank to the atomizer (e.g., by passive fluid motion, for example, by capillary pressure).

[0085]Referring to FIG. 5A, cold air (as represented by the solid arrows) may enter the cartridge 350 via on or more air inlets at the distal member 360 of the cartridge 350, such as the air inlets 333A and 333B located at the distal member 360. The air enters at the inlets of the distal member. The two air flows combine into a single airflow at the distal member before passing the atomizer. As air is drawn in, the atomizer 378 (which is heated) heats the incoming air. The heated air (as represented by dashed arrows) travels up towards the proximal end of the cannula 372 and, in particular, through a channel formed by the inner cavity 373 and the central channel 3015. At the mouthpiece 352, the heated airflow splits into two air paths before exiting at least two openings in the mouthpiece.

[0086]FIG. 6A is an example method of generating an aerosol consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. At 602, a vaporizer device (e.g., the vaporizer device 100) is activated. For example, the vaporizer device may be activated by drawing (e.g., inhaling) through the mouthpiece. The device may detect a draw (e.g., using a pressure sensor, flow sensors, and/or the like, including a sensor configured to detect a change in temperature or power applied to a heater element) and may increase the power to a predetermined temperature preset. The power may be regulated by the controller by detecting the change in resistance of the heating coil and using the thermal coefficient of resistance to determine the temperature. At 604, a heater (e.g., atomizer 378) may heat at least a portion of the vaporizable material stored within the cartridge (e.g., the cartridge 150 and/or 350) to generate an aerosol. For example, the heater may heat at least a portion of the vaporizable material stored within the wick of the heater to generate the aerosol to be delivered to the user through the mouthpiece of the cartridge.

[0087]FIG. 6B is a method of flexibly manufacturing a cartridge, such as cartridge 350, using two different sized silicon seals, in accordance with some embodiments. As noted, the use of two different sized silicon seals 1372 as shown in the example of FIGS. 4B and 4C) reduces the head space, which reduce leakage of vaporizable material contained in the reservoir. Moreover, the use of two different sized silicon seals (as shown in the example of FIGS. 4B and 4C) improves manufacturing flexibility.

[0088]At 610, the process may include in response to manufacturing a cartridge (which is configured or expected to contain 1.0 gram of vaporizable material), inserting a first sized silicon seal into a proximal end of a reservoir of a vaporizer cartridge. For example, in response to manufacturing a cartridge which is expected to contain 1.0 gram of vaporizable material, a first sized silicon seal 1372 is inserted into the proximal end 3888A of the reservoir 358. Referring to the example of FIG. 4B, the insertion depth of the silicon seal 1372 into the reservoir is about 2.2 mm with a length of about 14.5 and a width of about 6.8 mm as shown, although other sizes may be realized as well. The first silicon seal, such as seal 1372, includes an opening 3720 through which a proximal end 3888A of the cannula 372 is inserted. And, the silicon seal 1372 is inserted into the proximal opening 3580 of the reservoir 358, so the seal serves as a bung to close the proximal opening 3580 of the reservoir 358.

[0089]At 612, the process may include in response to manufacturing a cartridge (which is configured or expected to contain 0.5 gram of vaporizable material), inserting a second sized silicon seal into a proximal end of a reservoir of a vaporizer cartridge. For example, in response to manufacturing a cartridge which is expected to contain 0.5 grams of vaporizable material, a second sized silicon seal 1372 is inserted into the proximal end 3888A of the cannula 372. The second silicon seal, such as seal 1372, includes an opening 3720 through which a proximal end 3888A of the cannula 372 is inserted. And, the silicon seal 1372 is inserted into the proximal opening 3580 of the reservoir 358, so the seal serves as a bung to close the proximal opening 3580 of the reservoir 358. Referring to the example of FIG. 4C, the silicon seal 1372 includes an opening 3720 sized for a first volume of 0.5 grams of vaporizable material in the reservoir 358. In the example of FIG. 4C, the insertion depth of the silicon seal into the tank is about 7.2 to 9.2 mm with a length of about 14.5 and a width of about 6.8 mm as shown, although other sizes may be realized as well.

[0090]At 616, the process may continue with the manufacture of the cartridge. For example, the additional elements of the cartridge 350 (see, e.g., FIG. 4A) may be assembled. In some embodiments, the reservoir is filled with vaporizable material as well. For example, the reservoir may be filed with vaporizable material before the silicon seal 1372 is inserted into the reservoir, although the reservoir may be filed with vaporizable material at other times or in other ways as well.

[0091]Any of a variety of materials may be used for the cartridge 150 and/or 350. Portions of the cartridge 150 or 350 may be made of harder plastic materials configured to be strong and resist cracking, compression, or other damage when placed under pressure. For example, one or more regions of the cartridge 156 such as the region defining the reservoir may be formed of hard plastic materials, such as, for example, Trogamid CX7323 (BPA free). Other plastic materials for the cartridge body 156 and the mouthpiece 152 may include, for example, Veradel A-301 (BPA free). Other regions of the cartridge such as the regions intended to provide for sealing with other harder regions of the cartridge may be made of any of a variety of resilient or elastomeric materials.

[0092]In some examples, the vaporizable material may include a viscous liquid such as, for example a cannabis oil. In some variations, the cannabis oil comprises between 0.3% and 100% cannabis oil extract. The viscous oil may include a carrier for improving vapor formation, such as, for example, propylene glycol, glycerol, medium chain triglycerides (MCT) including lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, caproic acid, etc., at between 0.01% and 25% (e.g., between 0. 1% and 22%, between 1% and 20%, between 1% and 15%, and/or the like). In some variations the vapor-forming carrier is 1,3-Propanediol. A cannabis oil may include a cannabinoid or cannabinoids (natural and/or synthetic), and/or a terpene or terpenes derived from organic materials such as for example fruits and flowers. For example, any of the vaporizable materials described herein may include one or more (e.g., a mixture of) cannabinoid including one or more of: CBG (Cannabigerol), CBC (Cannabichromene), CBL (Cannabicyclol), CBV (Cannabivarin), THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin), CBDV (Cannabidivarin), CBCV (Cannabichromevarin), CBGV (Cannabigerovarin), CBGM (Cannabigerol Monomethyl Ether), Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA), Cannabidioloc Acid (CBDA), Tetrahydrocannabivarinic Acid (THCVA), one or more Endocannabinoids (e.g., anandamide, 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, 2-Arachidonyl glyceryl ether, N-Arachidonoyl dopamine, Virodhamine, Lysophosphatidylinositol), and/or a synthetic cannabinoids such as, for example, one or more of: JWH-018, JWH-073, CP-55940, Dimethylheptylpyran, HU-210, HU-331, SR144528, WIN 55,212-2, JWH-133, Levonantradol (Nantrodolum), and AM-2201. The oil vaporization material may include one or more terpene, such as, for example, Hemiterpenes, Monoterpenes (e.g., geraniol, terpineol, limonene, myrcene, linalool, pinene, Iridoids), Sesquiterpenes (e.g., humulene, farnesenes, farnesol), Diterpenes (e.g., cafestol, kahweol, cembrene and taxadiene), Sesterterpenes, (e.g., geranylfarnesol), Triterpenes (e.g., squalene), Sesquarterpenes (e.g, ferrugicadiol and tetraprenylcurcumene), Tetraterpenes (lycopene, gamma-carotene, alpha- and beta-carotenes), Polyterpenes, and Norisoprenoids. For example, an oil vaporization material as described herein may include between 0.3-100% cannabinoids (e.g., 0.5-98%, 10-95%, 20-92%, 30-90%, 40-80%, 50-75%, 60-80%, etc.), 0-40% terpenes (e.g., 1-30%, 10-30%, 10-20%, etc.), and 0-25% carrier (e.g., medium chain triglycerides (MCT)).

[0093]In any of the oil vaporizable materials described herein (including in particular, the cannabinoid-based vaporizable materials), the viscosity may be within a predetermined range. The range may be between, at room temperature (23° C.) about 30 cP (centipoise) and 115 kcP (kilocentipoise), between 30 cP and 200 kcP, although higher viscosities and/or lower viscosities may be implemented as well. For example, the viscosity may be between 40 cP and 113 kcP at room temperature. Outside of this range, the vaporizable material may fail in some instances to wick appropriately to form a vapor as described herein. In particular, it is typically desired that the oil may be made sufficiently thin to both permit wicking at a rate that is useful with the apparatuses described herein, while also limiting leaking (e.g., viscosities below that of ˜40 cP at room temperature might result in problems with leaking).

[0094]Although the disclosure, including the figures, described herein may described and/or exemplify these different variations separately, it should be understood that all or some, or components of them, may be combined.

[0095]Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes may be made to various embodiments. For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

[0096]When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. References to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0097]Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”.

[0098]Spatially relative terms, such as, for example, “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0099]Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements (including steps), these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed below could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings provided herein.

[0100]Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” means various components can be co-jointly employed in the methods and articles (e.g., compositions and apparatuses including device and methods). For example, the term “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of any stated elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other elements or steps.

[0101]As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” “or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0102]The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, are possible.

[0103]In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as, for example, “at least one of” or “one or more of”′ may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” Use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

[0104]The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail herein, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features further to those disclosed herein. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. The scope of the following claims may include other implementations or embodiments.