Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir in fluid communication with the primary reservoir, and a vaporization chamber in communication with the secondary reservoir in which the vaporization chamber includes a first wicking element. The primary reservoir is configured to store a majority fraction of vaporizable material when in a first pressure state and configured to expel the vaporizable material in response to an increase in headspace when in a second pressure state. The secondary reservoir is formed of absorbent material configured to receive a first volume of the vaporizable material from the primary reservoir in the first pressure state and to receive a second volume of the vaporizable material from the primary reservoir in the second pressure state in which the second volume is greater than the first volume. Vaporizer devices are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 5, 2019
Date of Patent:
August 6, 2024
Assignee:
JUUL Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Ariel Atkins, Alexander M. Hoopai, Esteban Leon Duque, Christopher James Rosser, Andrew J. Stratton, Norbert Wesely
Abstract: Vaporization devices, components, and methods of operating them are provided. In some implementations, an apparatus includes a microcontroller, a battery, and electrical circuitry comprising a reference resistor, a first switch, a second switch, and a voltage divider. The microcontroller is configured to operate the first switch to interrupt a flow of current supplied from the power source through a resistive heating element, and to operate the second switch to add the reference resistor in series with the resistive heating element. The microcontroller is further configured to determine a resistance of the resistive heating element based on a voltage measured by the voltage divider when the reference resistor is in series with the resistive heating element, and to control an amount of power supplied to the resistive heating element based on the determined resistance by adjusting the flow of current supplied to the resistive heating element.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 10, 2021
Date of Patent:
May 28, 2024
Assignee:
JUUL Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Ariel Atkins, Steven Christensen, Nicholas Jay Hatton
Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include an atomizer and a channel extending through the cartridge from an inlet to an outlet. The atomizer includes a wicking element that is configured to substantially draw a vaporizable material from a reservoir and into the atomizer, and a heating element that is configured to substantially vaporize the vaporizable material into a vaporized material. The channel has an airflow path and a vapor path that intersect at a first junction between the inlet and the outlet. The airflow path is configured to receive and substantially allow air to pass therethrough, and the vapor path is configured to direct the vaporized material into the first junction so that the vaporized material mixes with the air to substantially form an aerosol downstream of the atomizer. Vaporizer devices are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 1, 2022
Date of Patent:
May 14, 2024
Assignee:
Juul Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Ariel Atkins, Adam Bowen, Christopher James Rosser
Abstract: A vaporizer device includes various modular components. The vaporizer device includes a first subassembly. The first subassembly includes a cartridge connector that secures a vaporizer cartridge to the vaporizer device and includes at least two receptacle contacts that electrically communicate with the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device includes a second subassembly. The second subassembly includes a skeleton defining a rigid tray that retains at least a power source. The vaporizer device also includes a third subassembly. The third subassembly includes a plurality of charging contacts that supply power to the power source, and an end cap that encloses an end of the vaporizer device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 24, 2020
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2024
Assignee:
JUUL Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Samuel C. Anderson, Wei-Ling Chang, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Joseph Chun, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Nicholas J. Hatton, Kevin Lomeli, James Monsees, Andrew L. Murphy, Claire O'Malley, John R. Pelochino, Hugh Pham, Vipul V. Rahane, Matthew J. Taschner, Val Valentine, Kenneth Wong
Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include an atomizer and a channel extending through the cartridge from an inlet to an outlet. The atomizer includes a wicking element that is configured to substantially draw a vaporizable material from a reservoir and into the atomizer, and a heating element that is configured to substantially vaporize the vaporizable material into a vaporized material. The channel has an airflow path and a vapor path that intersect at a first junction between the inlet and the outlet. The airflow path is configured to receive and substantially allow air to pass therethrough, and the vapor path is configured to direct the vaporized material into the first junction so that the vaporized material mixes with the air to substantially form an aerosol downstream of the atomizer. Vaporizer devices are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 1, 2022
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2024
Assignee:
Juul Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Ariel Atkins, Adam Bowen, Christopher James Rosser
Abstract: A heating element for a vaporizer cartridge is provided. The vaporizer cartridge may include a reservoir containing vaporizable material and a wicking element in fluid communication with the reservoir. The heating element may include a heating portion, a cartridge contact, and a leg. The heating portion includes at least two tines spaced apart from one another. The cartridge contact may be in in electrical communication with a power source. The leg extends between the heating portion and the cartridge contact. The heating portion may be crimped around the wicking element such that the heating portion secures the wicking element to the heating element and contacts at least two surfaces of the wicking element.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2021
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2024
Assignee:
JUUL Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Steven Christensen, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Christopher James Rosser
Abstract: Devices for generating and releasing vapor. In particular, described herein are portable devices for generating a low-temperature inhalable vapor having an elongated tubular body containing a vaporization chamber and a battery-powered heater, a removable mouthpiece covering the vaporization chamber, a display configured to indicate the temperature of the vaporization chamber; a microcontroller configured to regulate the temperature of the vaporization chamber, and a control to select from among a variety of temperature settings.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 1, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 20, 2024
Assignee:
JUUL Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Adam Bowen, Krista Hunter, James Monsees, Patrick A. Myall
Abstract: On-demand, hand-held vaporizer that operates primarily by convection. The vaporizer is configured to permit very rapid (e.g., within a few seconds) heating of air drawn through an oven chamber to a predetermined or selectable vaporizing temperature to vaporize a material (e.g., loose leaf plant material, etc.) that is held in the oven chamber. The vaporizer provides efficient transfer of air being heated as well as rapid delivery of vaporizable material to a user.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 31, 2020
Date of Patent:
January 2, 2024
Assignee:
JUUL Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Ariel Atkins, Adam Bowen, Steven Christensen, Alexander J. Gould, Nicholas J. Hatton, Esteban Leon Duque, Kevin Lomeli, James Monsees, Matthew J. Taschner
Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a reservoir housing having a first housing end and a second housing end opposite the first housing end, an airflow tube that extends through the reservoir housing, and first and second seals that are each substantially impermeable to fluid, in which the first seal is substantially secured to the first housing end and the second seal is substantially secured to the second housing end. The reservoir housing is configured to hold vaporizable material and the first and second seals are configured to be selectively compromised to allow access to the vaporizable material within the reservoir housing for vaporization into vaporized material. Vaporizer devices are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 5, 2019
Date of Patent:
December 5, 2023
Assignee:
JUUL Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Christopher James Rosser, Samuel L. Stean
Abstract: Vaporizer devices are disclosed that are configured to detect when a puff is occurring and exclude a pressure change unrelated to the puff based on at least first and second signals. Methods for detecting a puff and excluding a pressure change unrelated to the puff based on at least first and second signals are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 10, 2022
Date of Patent:
November 28, 2023
Assignee:
JUUL Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Nicholas J. Hatton, Matthew J. Taschner
Abstract: A concentrate adaptor for a vaporizer device includes a reservoir and a base. The reservoir holds a concentrate. The reservoir is positioned within a vessel of the vaporizer device and is heated by a heating element of the vaporizer device to transfer heat to the concentrate, thereby generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The reservoir includes a sidewall surrounding an interior volume of the reservoir. The reservoir also includes a capillary structure positioned along the sidewall configured to direct the concentrate to the sidewall to be heated by the heating element.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 17, 2020
Date of Patent:
October 31, 2023
Assignee:
JUUL Labs, Inc.
Inventors:
Franklyn Bucknor, Jr., Philipe Manoux, Jace Martin, Alexander Ringrose, John Maxwell Ringrose, Daniel Sargent, Ariel David Turgel, Michael Chad Makay, Mark Edward Hearn, Ricardo Verheul, Halle Ann Van De Hey
Abstract: A cartridge for use with a vaporization device comprising a first heating element, a first compartment for containment of a first vaporizable material, and a second compartment for containment of a second vaporizable material, wherein the device generates an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating the first vaporizable material or the second vaporizable material.
Inventors:
Christopher L. Belisle, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Carlos A. Dominguez, Dylan E. Entelis, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Matthew J. Malone, James Monsees, Zachary T. Scott, John Travis Wettroth