Patents by Inventor James P. Westley
James P. Westley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240032596Abstract: Vaporizer cartridges for vaporizer devices are disclosed herein. In one exemplary implementation, the cartridge can include a vaporization channel configured to allow fluid to pass therethrough from the atomizer to the outlet. The vaporization channel includes a plurality of channels, in which at least one channel is a grooved channel defining a fluid passageway extending from a first end to a second end, and the grooved channel having a plurality of grooves extending in a direction along the fluid passageway. Vaporizer devices are also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Steven Christensen, Joshua A. de Gromoboy Dabrowicki, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Matthew Rios, Andrew J. Stratton, James P. Westley
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Publication number: 20230076259Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a reservoir housing, an airflow tube that extends through the reservoir housing, and a folded mesh that is disposed within the airflow tube and includes a plurality of folds. The airflow tube defines a passageway extending therethrough and at least a portion of the airflow tube is permeable to the vaporizable material, in which the permeable portion of the airflow tube is configured to draw vaporizable material from the reservoir housing into the airflow tube for vaporization. The folded mesh is configured to change from a deactivated state to an activated state in response to receiving an electric current, and when in the activated state, the folded mesh is configured to generate an amount of heat that is sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir housing. Vaporizer devices are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Emily K. Pettitt, Andrew J. Stratton, James P. Westley
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Patent number: 11564287Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a reservoir being configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material that includes at least one ionic component, an airflow tube that extends though the reservoir and defines an airflow passageway therethrough, and first and second electrodes. The airflow tube includes a wicking element that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, in which the wicking element is configured to substantially draw at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir into the airflow passageway. The first and second electrodes are positioned substantially on or adjacent to opposite surfaces of the wicking element, in which the liquid vaporizable material received within the wicking element is substantially vaporized in response to generation of a potential difference between the first and second electrodes. Vaporizer devices are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.Inventors: Rishi D. Jobanputra, Christopher James Rosser, James P. Westley
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Patent number: 11439774Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a reservoir housing, an airflow tube that extends through the reservoir housing, and a folded mesh that is disposed within the airflow tube and includes a plurality of folds. The airflow tube defines a passageway extending therethrough and at least a portion of the airflow tube is permeable to the vaporizable material, in which the permeable portion of the airflow tube is configured to draw vaporizable material from the reservoir housing into the airflow tube for vaporization. The folded mesh is configured to change from a deactivated state to an activated state in response to receiving an electric current, and when in the activated state, the folded mesh is configured to generate an amount of heat that is sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir housing. Vaporizer devices are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.Inventors: Emily K. Pettitt, Andrew J. Stratton, James P. Westley
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Publication number: 20220256922Abstract: A vaporizer device may include a shell, a cartridge receptacle, and a skeleton. The cartridge receptacle may be formed from a cartridge interface disposed at least partially inside a sheath. The cartridge interface may be configured to provide a plurality of electrical couplings with a vaporizer cartridge when the vaporizer cartridge is disposed inside the cartridge receptacle. The plurality of electrical couplings may include a first electrical coupling with a heating element of the vaporizer cartridge. The plurality of electrical couplings may further include a second electrical coupling with a cartridge identification chip of the vaporizer cartridge. The skeleton may be coupled with the cartridge interface. The skeleton may be configured to secure the cartridge interface inside the shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Mackenzie Paige Belt, Christopher L. Belisle, Tsuey Choo Lily Chang, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Dylan E. Entelis, Nicholas J. Hatton, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, YongChao Li, Huei-Huei Liang, Kevin Lomeli, Matthew J. Malone, James Monsees, Nathan N. Ng, Claire O'Malley, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Zachary T. Scott, Nihir B. Shah, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, Val Valentine, Norbert Wesely, James P. Westley, Hao Yin, XueHai Zhang, XueQing Zhang
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Publication number: 20220241777Abstract: Microfluidic features regulate the flow of fluids in a cartridge for a vaporizer device. The microfluidic features prevent leaks of liquid vaporizable material and enhance the functioning of the cartridge when there is a differential pressure between a storage chamber containing the liquid vaporizable material and ambient conditions outside the cartridge. Related systems, apparatuses, and processes, are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Steven Christensen, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, James P. Westley
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Publication number: 20220117300Abstract: A cartridge may include a cartridge housing, a reservoir and a wick housing disposed inside the cartridge housing, a heating element, and a wicking element. The cartridge housing may be configured to extend below an open top of a receptacle in the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material. The heating element may include a heating portion disposed at least partially inside the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing. The contact portion may include cartridge contacts that form an electric coupling with receptacle contacts in the receptacle. The wicking element may be disposed within the wick housing and proximate to the heating portion of the heating element. The wicking element may be configured to draw the vaporizable material to the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Dylan E. Entelis, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Matthew J. Malone, James Monsees, Nathan N. Ng, Claire O' Malley, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Zachary T. Scott, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, Norbert Wesely, James P. Westley
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Patent number: 11253001Abstract: A cartridge may include a cartridge housing, a reservoir and a wick housing disposed inside the cartridge housing, a heating element, and a wicking element. The cartridge housing may be configured to extend below an open top of a receptacle in the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material. The heating element may include a heating portion disposed at least partially inside the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing. The contact portion may include cartridge contacts that form an electric coupling with receptacle contacts in the receptacle. The wicking element may be disposed within the wick housing and proximate to the heating portion of the heating element. The wicking element may be configured to draw the vaporizable material to the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Dylan E. Entelis, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Matthew J. Malone, James Monsees, Nathan N. Ng, Claire O'Malley, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Zachary T. Scott, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, Norbert Wesely, James P. Westley
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Publication number: 20210307402Abstract: Vaporizer devices are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a vaporizer device can include a vaporizer body including a first airflow path extending at least partially therethrough, and a sensor assembly residing at least partially within the vaporizer body. The sensor assembly includes a flexible sensor that is in communication with the first airflow path. The flexible sensor is configured to reversibly deflect from an initial state to a first state in response to a first user-activated force representing air being drawn through the first airflow path, and configured to reversibly deflect from the initial state to a second state in response to a second user-activated force representing an acceleration of the vaporizer body. Sensor assemblies for a vaporizer device are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Oliver J. Batley, Joshua A. de Gromoboy Dabrowicki, Alex M. Gee, Zhenqiang Lin, Christopher James Rosser, James P. Westley
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Publication number: 20210220576Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Steven Christensen, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, James P. Westley
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Patent number: 10905835Abstract: 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 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Steven Christensen, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, James P. Westley
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Publication number: 20200275696Abstract: A cartridge may include a cartridge housing, a reservoir and a wick housing disposed inside the cartridge housing, a heating element, and a wicking element. The cartridge housing may be configured to extend below an open top of a receptacle in the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material. The heating element may include a heating portion disposed at least partially inside the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing. The contact portion may include cartridge contacts that form an electric coupling with receptacle contacts in the receptacle. The wicking element may be disposed within the wick housing and proximate to the heating portion of the heating element. The wicking element may be configured to draw the vaporizable material to the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Christopher L. Belisle, Tsuey Chang, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Dylan E. Entelis, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, YongChao Li, Huei-Huei Liang, Matthew J. Malone, James Monsees, Nathan N. Ng, Claire O'Malley, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Zachary T. Scott, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, Norbert Wesely, James P. Westley, Hao Yin, XueHai Zhang, XueQing Zhang
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Publication number: 20200138115Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a reservoir housing, an airflow tube that extends through the reservoir housing, and a folded mesh that is disposed within the airflow tube and includes a plurality of folds. The airflow tube defines a passageway extending therethrough and at least a portion of the airflow tube is permeable to the vaporizable material, in which the permeable portion of the airflow tube is configured to draw vaporizable material from the reservoir housing into the airflow tube for vaporization. The folded mesh is configured to change from a deactivated state to an activated state in response to receiving an electric current, and when in the activated state, the folded mesh is configured to generate an amount of heat that is sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir housing. Vaporizer devices are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Emily K. Pettitt, Andrew J. Stratton, James P. Westley
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Publication number: 20200138116Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a reservoir being configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material that includes at least one ionic component, an airflow tube that extends though the reservoir and defines an airflow passageway therethrough, and first and second electrodes. The airflow tube includes a wicking element that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, in which the wicking element is configured to substantially draw at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir into the airflow passageway. The first and second electrodes are positioned substantially on or adjacent to opposite surfaces of the wicking element, in which the liquid vaporizable material received within the wicking element is substantially vaporized in response to generation of a potential difference between the first and second electrodes. Vaporizer devices are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Rishi D. Jobanputra, Christopher James Rosser, James P. Westley
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Publication number: 20200128874Abstract: A vaporization device includes a cartridge for a vaporizer device. For example, the vaporizer cartridge and/or features thereof may improve management of leaks of vaporizable material from the vaporizer cartridge, control of airflow within and/or near the vaporizer cartridge, heating of vaporizable material in the vaporizer cartridge, management of condensate in the vaporizer cartridge, and/or other assembly features of the vaporizer cartridge. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Steven Christensen, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric J. Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Christopher James Rosser, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, Norbert Wesely, James P. Westley
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Publication number: 20200113245Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a reservoir housing having at least one inner container that is configured to hold a vaporizable material, and a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir housing and including at least one wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the at least one inner container to the vaporization chamber to be vaporized by a heating element, in which the at least one inner container is substantially sealed to the at least one wicking element, and wherein the at least one inner container is configured to collapse as the vaporizable material is withdrawn therefrom. Vaporizer devices are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Christopher J. Rosser, Simon J. Smith, James P. Westley
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Publication number: 20200114094Abstract: 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 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Steven Christensen, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric J. Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Christopher James Rosser, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, James P. Westley
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Patent number: D970805Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2022Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.Inventors: Christopher L. Belisle, Steven Christensen, Alexander M. Hoopai, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, Eric Joseph Johnson, Andrew J. Stratton, James P. Westley