VAPORIZATION DEVICE WITH LIQUID MANAGEMENT

Abstract

A vaporization apparatus includes an atomizer to generate vapor from a vaporization substance and a channel, in fluid communication with the atomizer, to carry the vapor away from the atomizer. In an embodiment, the atomizer includes a ceramic core, and liquid is prevented from leaking through the channel One or more properties of the vaporization substance and/or one or more properties of the ceramic core may contribute to leakage prevention. In some embodiments, a liquid flow control structure in the channel controls flow of liquid within the channel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to, and claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/896,225, entitled “VAPORIZATION DEVICE WITH LIQUID MANAGEMENT”, and filed on Sep. 5, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

This application relates generally to vaporization devices, and in particular to vaporization devices with features intended to manage liquid within a vaporization device airway or channel.

BACKGROUND

A vaporization device is used to vaporize substances for inhalation. These substances are referred to herein as vaporization substances, and could include, for example, cannabis products, tobacco products, herbs, and/or flavorants. In some cases, substances in cannabis, tobacco, or other plants or materials extracted to generate concentrates are used as vaporization substances. These substances could include cannabinoids from cannabis, and nicotine from tobacco. In other cases, synthetic substances are artificially manufactured. Terpenes are common flavorant vaporization substances, and could be generated from natural essential oils or artificially.

Vaporization substances could be in the form of loose leaf in the case of cannabis, tobacco, and herbs, for example, or in the form of concentrates or derivative products such as liquids, waxes, or gels, for example. Vaporization substances, whether intended for flavor or some other effect, could be mixed with other compounds such as propylene glycol, glycerin, medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil and/or water to adjust the viscosity of a final vaporization substance.

In a vaporization device, the vaporization substance is heated to the vaporization point of one or more constituents of the vaporization substance. This produces a vapor, which may also be referred to as an aerosol. The vapor is then inhaled by a user through a channel that is provided in the vaporization device, and often through a hose or pipe that is part of or attached to the vaporization device.

Vaporization devices tend to be prone to leakage of liquid, which may include vaporization substance that leaks from a vaporization substance chamber into a vaporization device channel and/or liquid from condensation or deposition of liquid inside the channel.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a vaporization apparatus includes an atomizer to generate vapor from a vaporization substance; a channel, in fluid communication with the atomizer, to carry the vapor away from the atomizer; and a liquid flow control structure in the channel, to control flow of liquid within the channel.

The liquid flow control structure includes, in some embodiments, a perforated plate across the channel and a wall extending from the perforated plate to block the liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering a perforation in the perforated plate.

Another example of a liquid flow control structure is a perforated plate across the channel, with the perforated plate including a pooling area, displaced from a perforation in the perforated plate, to provide for pooling of the liquid.

A perforated plate across the channel may also or instead include a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from a perforation in the perforated plate.

A perforated plate may also or instead include a heating element.

The liquid flow control structure may include multiple perforated plates across the channel.

With multiple perforated plates across the channel, the liquid flow control structure may include a wall extending from one or more of the perforated plates, to block the liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering a perforation in the perforated plate.

One or more of the perforated plates may also or instead include a pooling area, displaced from a perforation in the perforated plate, to provide for pooling of the liquid, and/or a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from a perforation in the perforated plate.

A heating element may also or instead be provided for one or more of the perforated plates in multi-plate embodiments.

Perforations in adjacent perforated plates are misaligned between the adjacent perforated plates in some embodiments.

The perforated plates in multi-plate embodiments may include perforated plates with different numbers of perforations.

In some embodiments, the liquid flow control structure includes not only a perforated plate across the channel, but also a valve positioned to permit air flow through a perforation in the perforated plate in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid through the perforation in the perforated plate; and a wall to block the liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering the perforation in the perforated plate. The wall may be a wall extending from the perforated plate or a wall of the valve.

Other perforated plate features may be implemented in conjunction with a valve. For example, a perforated plate may include a pooling area, displaced from the perforation in which a valve is positioned, to provide for pooling of the liquid. A perforated plate may also or instead include a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from the perforation and/or another a perforation in the perforated plate. A perforated plate in which a valve is positioned may include a heating element instead of or in addition to other features.

A valve of a liquid flow control structure, whether positioned in a perforated plate or otherwise to permit air flow in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid, may include a heating element.

More generally, a vaporization device with a liquid flow control structure that includes a valve to permit air flow in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid, may include a heating element. The heating element may, but need not necessarily, be part of the valve.

In another valve embodiment with a valve to permit air flow in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid, the valve includes a perforated wall to permit air flow through the valve. The perforated wall is disposed in the valve to space a perforation in the perforated wall away from a liquid-contacting component of the vaporization apparatus.

The liquid-contacting component of the vaporization apparatus may be a component of the valve, for example. The liquid-contacting component may be or include a perforated plate on or in which the valve is disposed.

Another example of a liquid flow control structure is a bend or turn in the channel. For example, the channel may include a mouthpiece that has such a bend or turn.

In some embodiments, the liquid is prevented from leaking through the channel by the liquid flow control structure. For example, the liquid may be prevented from leaking through the channel by the liquid flow control structure in an amount above a maximum permissible amount of the liquid reaching a terminal or contact.

A vaporization apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: a chamber to store a vaporization substance; an atomizer to generate vapor from the vaporization substance, the atomizer comprising a ceramic core in fluid communication with the chamber; and a channel, in fluid communication with the atomizer, to carry the vapor away from the atomizer. The vaporization substance is prevented from leaking through the channel, and from leaking from the vaporization apparatus in some embodiments.

Such a vaporization apparatus may also include a liquid flow control structure in the channel, to prevent the vaporization substance from leaking from the vaporization apparatus through the channel by controlling flow of the vaporization substance within the channel. The liquid flow control structure may include one or more features as disclosed above and/or elsewhere herein.

In some embodiments, a property of the vaporization substance prevents the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel. An example of such a property of the vaporization substance is viscosity of the vaporization substance.

A property of the ceramic core may also or instead prevent the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel, and examples of such a property include one or more materials of the ceramic core, porosity of the ceramic core, and density of the ceramic core, any one or more of which may contribute to leakage prevention.

In general, one or more of: a property of the ceramic core and a property of the vaporization substance may contribute to preventing the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel.

Leakage of the vaporization substance is limited to a maximum liquid mass per unit volume of fluid flow through the channel in some embodiments. Thus, in some embodiments the vaporization substance is prevented from leaking through the channel in an amount above a maximum liquid mass per unit volume of fluid flow through the channel

Leakage of the vaporization substance may also or instead be limited to a maximum liquid volume per unit volume of fluid flow through the channel, or equivalently the vaporization substance is prevented from leaking through the channel in an amount above a maximum liquid volume per unit volume of fluid flow through the channel.

In some embodiments, leakage of the vaporization substance is limited to, or the vaporization substance is prevented from leaking through the channel in an amount above, a maximum differential between mass flow of the vaporization substance through the ceramic core and generation of vapor from the vaporization substance by the atomizer.

In another embodiment, leakage of the vaporization substance is limited to, or the vaporization substance is prevented from leaking through the channel in an amount above, a maximum liquid volume per unit time.

The vaporization substance may also or instead be prevented from leaking through the channel in an amount above a maximum permissible amount of liquid reaching a terminal or contact.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method involves providing an atomizer to generate vapor from a vaporization substance; providing a channel in fluid communication with the atomizer, to carry the vapor away from the atomizer; and providing a liquid flow control structure in the channel, to control flow of liquid within the channel.

Providing a liquid flow control structure may involve providing a liquid flow control structure that has one or more features as disclosed above and/or elsewhere herein.

In some embodiments, providing a liquid flow control structure in the channel involves providing the liquid flow control structure, and installing the liquid flow control structure in the channel.

The liquid may be prevented from leaking through the channel by the liquid flow control structure.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method that involves providing a chamber to store a vaporization substance; providing an atomizer, in fluid communication with the chamber, to generate vapor from the vaporization substance, with the atomizer having a ceramic core in fluid communication with the chamber; and providing a channel, in fluid communication with the atomizer, to carry the vapor away from the atomizer. The vaporization substance is prevented from leaking through the channel.

Such a method may also involve providing a liquid flow control structure in the channel, to prevent the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel by controlling flow of the vaporization substance within the channel. Providing a liquid flow control structure may involve providing a liquid flow control structure that has one or more features as disclosed above and/or elsewhere herein.

Providing a liquid flow control structure in the channel may involve providing the liquid flow control structure, and installing the liquid flow control structure in the channel.

A property of the vaporization substance may prevent the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel. A method may also include providing the vaporization substance in the chamber. Providing the vaporization substance in the chamber may involve providing the vaporization substance, and adding the vaporization substance into the chamber.

The property of the vaporization substance may be viscosity of the vaporization substance, for example.

A property of the ceramic core may also or instead prevent the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel. In such embodiments, providing an atomizer may involve providing an atomizer that includes a ceramic core having the property. Examples of such a property of the ceramic core include one or more materials of the ceramic core, porosity of the ceramic core, and density of the ceramic core.

More generally, one or more of: a property of the ceramic core and a property of the vaporization substance may contribute to preventing the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel.

Leakage of the vaporization substance may be limited or prevented from leaking as disclosed above and/or elsewhere herein.

A kit according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes one or more parts of a liquid flow control structure for installation in a channel of a vaporization apparatus, to prevent leakage of liquid through the channel. The liquid flow control structure may include one or more features as disclosed above and/or elsewhere herein.

Such a kit may also include an installation tool for use in installation of the one or more parts of the liquid flow control structure in the channel.

A kit may also or instead include installation instructions for installation of the one or more parts of the liquid flow control structure in the channel.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method that involves providing one or more parts of a liquid flow control structure for installation in a channel of a vaporization apparatus, to prevent leakage of liquid through the channel. The liquid flow control structure may include one or more features as disclosed above and/or elsewhere herein.

Such a method may also involve installing the one or more parts of the liquid flow control structure in the channel.

In some embodiments, a method includes providing an installation tool for use in installation of the one or more parts of the liquid flow control structure in the channel, in which case a method may involve installing the one or more parts of the liquid flow control structure in the channel using the installation tool.

A method may involve providing installation instructions for installation of the one or more parts of the liquid flow control structure in the channel, and in some embodiments installing the one or more parts of the liquid flow control structure in the channel using the installation instructions.

Various embodiments disclosed herein may involve a liquid flow control structure. These embodiments include, for example, not only vaporization apparatus embodiments, but also kit embodiments and method embodiments. Features that are disclosed with reference to particular embodiments are not limited only to those embodiments. For example, features of a liquid flow control structure may be implemented in kit embodiments, and/or in method embodiments.

A liquid flow control structure in a kit or method embodiment, for example, may include a perforated plate across the channel, or for installation across the channel, and a wall extending from the perforated plate to block the liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering a perforation in the perforated plate, as in other embodiments disclosed herein.

The liquid flow control structure in a kit or method embodiment may be or include a perforated plate across the channel, or for installation across the channel, with the perforated plate including a pooling area, displaced from a perforation in the perforated plate, to provide for pooling of the liquid.

A perforated plate across the channel, or for installation across the channel, may also or instead include a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from a perforation in the perforated plate.

A perforated plate in kit or method embodiments may also or instead include a heating element.

The liquid flow control structure may include multiple perforated plates across the channel, or for installation across the channel.

With multiple perforated plates across the channel, or for installation across the channel, the liquid flow control structure may include a wall extending from one or more of the perforated plates, to block the liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering a perforation in the perforated plate.

One or more of the perforated plates may also or instead include a pooling area, displaced from a perforation in the perforated plate, to provide for pooling of the liquid, and/or a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from a perforation in the perforated plate.

A heating element may also or instead be provided for one or more of the perforated plates in multi-plate embodiments.

Perforations in adjacent perforated plates are misaligned between the adjacent perforated plates in some embodiments.

The perforated plates in multi-plate embodiments may include perforated plates with different numbers of perforations.

In some embodiments, the liquid flow control structure includes not only a perforated plate across the channel, or for installation across the channel, but also a valve positioned to permit air flow through a perforation in the perforated plate in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid through the perforation in the perforated plate; and a wall to block the liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering the perforation in the perforated plate. The wall may be a wall extending from the perforated plate or a wall of the valve.

Other perforated plate features may be implemented in conjunction with a valve in a kit or method embodiment. For example, a perforated plate may include a pooling area, displaced from the perforation in which a valve is positioned, to provide for pooling of the liquid. A perforated plate may also or instead include a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from the perforation and/or another a perforation in the perforated plate. A perforated plate in which a valve is positioned may include a heating element instead of or in addition to other features.

A valve of a liquid flow control structure, whether positioned in a perforated plate or otherwise to permit air flow in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid, may include a heating element.

According to another valve embodiment that includes a valve to permit air flow in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid, the valve includes a perforated wall to permit air flow through the valve. The perforated wall is disposed in the valve to space a perforation in the perforated wall away from a liquid-contacting component of the vaporization apparatus. The liquid-contacting component of the vaporization apparatus may be a component of the valve, for example. The liquid-contacting component may be or include a perforated plate on or in which the valve is disposed.

A liquid flow control structure in a kit or method embodiment may also or instead include a bend or turn in the channel. The channel may include a mouthpiece that has such a bend or turn, for example.

In some kit or method embodiments, the liquid is prevented from leaking through the channel by the liquid flow control structure. For example, the liquid may be prevented from leaking through the channel by the liquid flow control structure in an amount above a maximum permissible amount of the liquid reaching a terminal or contact.

Other aspects and features of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example vaporization device;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the vaporization device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of another example vaporization device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating internal structure of an example vaporization device tank with a ceramic core;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an example perforated plate;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an enlarged section of another example perforated plate;

FIGS. 7A to 7D illustrate example pooling areas and liquid diversion features provided in a perforated plate in some embodiments;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an embodiment that includes multiple perforated plates;

FIG. 9 includes cross-sectional views of an example valve in each of three operating positions;

FIG. 10 illustrates two other example valves;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment that includes multiple valves;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of another example vaporization device;

FIG. 14 is a plan and partially exploded view of the vaporization device of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a method according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Vaporization devices can be prone to leakage of vaporization substances and/or other liquids. For example, a liquid vaporization substance may leak from a vaporization substance chamber into a vaporization device vapor path or airway, referred to herein primarily as a channel, or otherwise collect within a channel of a vaporization device due to condensation of one or more vaporization products for example.

Condensation is just one example of a process by which liquid may collect, be deposited, or accumulate within a channel of a vaporization device. For example, one or more components that are present in a vaporization substance may have a boiling point that is below a vaporization temperature of a target component of the vaporization substance. As such, the one or more components with a lower boiling point may evaporate when the vaporization substance is heated to the vaporization temperature of the target component, and the resultant vapor(s) of the one or more components may condense back into liquid form in a vaporization device channel. The target component(s), and/or one or more other components of the vaporization substance, may be at least partially converted to sufficiently small droplets to form an aerosol, and could collect, deposit, or otherwise accumulate as liquid in the channel, without strictly condensing in the traditional sense of changing phase from gas to liquid. Embodiments herein are not restricted to any particular mechanism through which liquid may collect in a vaporization device channel.

Liquid in a vaporization device channel may subsequently leak from the channel. For example, liquid may leak out of a mouthpiece during storage of a vaporization device and/or during inhalation by a user. Leakage of liquid could also or instead be toward or through other parts of a vaporization device, such as through an air intake for the channel, toward a physical connector, and/or toward power and/or control contacts or connectors.

Liquid leakage is at the very least inconvenient for users, and also results in loss of vaporization substance, which has a cost to users. Such leakage may cause damage not only to components such as cartridges that contain liquid vaporization substances, but also to other items such as battery compartments. Safety can also be a concern. For example, a vaporization substance that is intended to remain inaccessible inside a vaporization device becomes accessible when it leaks through a mouthpiece and/or air intake. Liquid contact with power connections or contacts, and/or other electrical components, presents another potential safety concern. Leakage of liquid may also or instead affect vaporization device operation in other ways and cause potentially unsafe operating modes, putting users at risk of injury. Fouling or excess liquid areas close to heating elements, for example, could potentially cause liquid to be heated sufficiently for a user to draw not only vapor but also hot liquid through a mouthpiece and sustain burns or experience discomfort during use of a vaporization device. Hot liquid could also or instead be expelled through an air intake if a user turns on a heating element and blows into a vaporization device in an effort to clear liquid from the channel.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, liquid within a vaporization device channel is managed or controlled, to avoid or at least reduce leakage.

For illustrative purposes, specific example embodiments will be explained in greater detail below in conjunction with the figures. It should be appreciated, however, that the present disclosure provides many applicable concepts that can be embodied in any of a wide variety of contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. For example, relative to embodiments shown in the drawings and/or referenced herein, other embodiments may include additional, different, and/or fewer features. The figures are also not necessarily drawn to scale.

The present disclosure relates, in part, to vaporization apparatus such as vaporization devices for vaporization substances that include substances such as cannabinoids or nicotine. However, the vaporization devices described herein could also or instead be used for other types of vaporization substances.

As used herein, the term “cannabinoid” is generally understood to include any chemical compound that acts upon a cannabinoid receptor. Cannabinoids could include endocannabinoids (produced naturally by humans and animals), phytocannabinoids (found in cannabis and some other plants), and synthetic cannabinoids (manufactured artificially).

For the purpose of this specification, the expression “cannabinoid” means a compound such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerol monomethylether (CBGM), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabidiol monomethylether (CBDM), cannabidiol-C4 (CBD-C4), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabidiorcol (CBD-C1), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabionolic acid B (THCA-B), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-C4 (THCA-C4), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C4, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiorcol (THC-C1), delta-7-cis-iso tetrahydrocannabivarin, delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabicyclovarin (CBLV), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabinol (CBN), cannabinol methylether (CBNM), cannabinol-C4 (CBN-C4), cannabivarin (CBV), cannabinol-C2 (CBN-C2), cannabiorcol (CBN-C1), cannabinodiol (CBND), cannabinodivarin (CBVD), cannabitriol (CBT), 10-ethoxy-9hydroxy-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol, 8,9-dihydroxy-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabitriolvarin (CBTV), ethoxy-cannabitriolvarin (CBTVE), dehydrocannabifuran (DCBF), cannabifuran (CBF), cannabichromanon (CBCN), cannabicitran (CBT), 10-oxo-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabionol (OTHC), delta-9-cis-tetrahydrocannabinol (cis-THC), 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-7-hydroxy-alpha-alpha-2-trimethyl-9-n-propyl-2, 6-methano-2H-1-benzoxocin-5-methanol (OH-iso-HHCV), cannabiripsol (CBR), trihydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (triOH-THC), cannabinol propyl variant (CBNV), and derivatives thereof.

Examples of synthetic cannabinoids include, but are not limited to, naphthoylindoles, naphthylmethylindoles, naphthoylpyrroles, naphthylmethylindenes, phenylacetylindoles, cyclohexylphenols, tetramethylcyclopropylindoles, adamantoylindoles, indazole carboxamides, and quinolinyl esters.

In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is CBD. For the purpose of this specification, the expressions “cannabidiol” or “CBD” are generally understood to refer to one or more of the following compounds, and, unless a particular other stereoisomer or stereoisomers are specified, includes the compound “Δ2-cannabidiol.” These compounds are: (1) Δ5-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-5-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol); (2) Δ4-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-4-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol); (3) Δ3-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol); (4) Δ3,7-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methylenecyclohex-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol); (5) Δ2-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol); (6) Δ1-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol); and (7) Δ6-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-6-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol).

In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is THC. THC is only psychoactive in its decarboxylated state. The carboxylic acid form (THCA) is non-psychoactive. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) produce the effects associated with cannabis by binding to the CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the brain.

A cannabinoid may be in an acid form or a non-acid form, the latter also being referred to as the decarboxylated form since the non-acid form can be generated by decarboxylating the acid form. Within the context of the present disclosure, where reference is made to a particular cannabinoid, the cannabinoid can be in its acid or non-acid form, or be a mixture of both acid and non-acid forms.

A vaporization substance may include a cannabinoid in its pure or isolated form or in a source material that includes the cannabinoid. The following are non-limiting examples of source materials that include cannabinoids: cannabis or hemp plant material (e.g., flowers, seeds, trichomes, and kief), milled cannabis or hemp plant material, extracts obtained from cannabis or hemp plant material (e.g., resins, waxes and concentrates), and distilled extracts or kief. In some embodiments, pure or isolated cannabinoids and/or source materials that include cannabinoids are combined with water, lipids, hydrocarbons (e.g., butane), ethanol, acetone, isopropanol, or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is only psychoactive in its decarboxylated state. The carboxylic acid form (THCA) is non-psychoactive. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) produce the effects associated with cannabis by binding to the CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the brain.

In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is a mixture of THC and CBD. The w/w ratio of THC to CBD in the vaporization substance may be about 1:1000, about 1:900, about 1:800, about 1:700, about 1:600, about 1:500, about 1:400, about 1:300, about 1:250, about 1:200, about 1:150, about 1:100, about 1:90, about 1:80, about 1:70, about 1:60, about 1:50, about 1:45, about 1:40, about 1:35, about 1:30, about 1:29, about 1:28, about 1:27, about 1:26, about 1:25, about 1:24, about 1:23, about 1:22, about 1:21, about 1:20, about 1:19, about 1:18, about 1:17, about 1:16, about 1:15, about 1:14, about 1:13, about 1:12, about 1:11, about 1:10, about 1:9, about 1:8, about 1:7, about 1:6, about 1:5, about 1:4.5, about 1:4, about 1:3.5, about 1:3, about 1:2.9, about 1:2.8, about 1:2.7, about 1:2.6, about 1:2.5, about 1:2.4, about 1:2.3, about 1:2.2, about 1:2.1, about 1:2, about 1:1.9, about 1:1.8, about 1:1.7, about 1:1.6, about 1:1.5, about 1:1.4, about 1:1.3, about 1:1.2, about 1:1.1, about 1:1, about 1.1:1, about 1.2:1, about 1.3:1, about 1.4:1, about 1.5:1, about 1.6:1, about 1.7:1, about 1.8:1, about 1.9:1, about 2:1, about 2.1:1, about 2.2:1, about 2.3:1, about 2.4:1, about 2.5:1, about 2.6:1, about 2.7:1, about 2.8:1, about 2.9:1, about 3:1, about 3.5:1, about 4:1, about 4.5:1, about 5:1, about 6:1, about 7:1, about 8:1, about 9:1, about 10:1, about 11:1, about 12:1, about 13:1, about 14:1, about 15:1, about 16:1, about 17:1, about 18:1, about 19:1, about 20:1, about 21:1, about 22:1, about 23:1, about 24:1, about 25:1, about 26:1, about 27:1, about 28:1, about 29:1, about 30:1, about 35:1, about 40:1, about 45:1, about 50:1, about 60:1, about 70:1, about 80:1, about 90:1, about 100:1, about 150:1, about 200:1, about 250:1, about 300:1, about 400:1, about 500:1, about 600:1, about 700:1, about 800:1, about 900:1, or about 1000:1.

In some embodiments, a vaporization substance may include products of cannabinoid metabolism, including 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC).

These particulars of cannabinoids are intended solely for illustrative purposes. Other embodiments are also contemplated.

As used herein, the term “terpene” (or “decarboxylated terpene”, which is known as a terpenoid) is generally understood to include any organic compound derived biosynthetically from units of isoprene. Terpenes may be classified in any of various ways, such as by their sizes. For example, suitable terpenes may include monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, or triterpenes. At least some terpenes are expected to interact with, and potentiate the activity of, cannabinoids. Examples of terpenes known to be extractable from cannabis include aromadendrene, bergamottin, bergamotol, bisabolene, borneol, 4-3-carene, caryophyllene, cineole/eucalyptol, p-cymene, dihydroj asmone, elemene, farnesene, fenchol, geranylacetate, guaiol, humulene, isopulegol, limonene, linalool, menthone, menthol, menthofuran, myrcene, nerylacetate, neomenthylacetate, ocimene, perillylalcohol, phellandrene, pinene, pulegone, sabinene, terpinene, terpineol, 4-terpineol, terpinolene, and derivatives thereof.

Additional examples of terpenes include nerolidol, phytol, geraniol, alpha-bisabolol, thymol, genipin, astragaloside, asiaticoside, camphene, beta-amyrin, thujone, citronellol, 1,8-cineole, cycloartenol, and derivatives thereof. Further examples of terpenes are discussed in US Patent Application Pub. No. US2016/0250270.

In general, a vaporization substance includes one or more target compounds or components. A target compound or component need not necessarily have a psychoactive effect. One or more flavorants, such as any one or more of: terpene(s), essential oil(s), and volatile plant extract(s), may also or instead be a target compound for vaporization in order to provide flavor to a vapor flow. A vaporization substance may also or instead include other compounds or components, such as one or more carriers. A carrier oil is one example of a carrier.

Turning now to vaporization devices in more detail, FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example vaporization device 100. In FIG. 1, the vaporization device 100 is viewed from the side. The vaporization device 100 could also be referred to as a vaporizer, a vaporizer pen, a vape pen or an electronic or “e-” cigarette, for example. The vaporizer 100 includes a cap 102, a chamber 104, a base 106 and a battery compartment 108.

The cap 102 is an example of a lid or cover, and includes a tip 112 and sidewalls 114 and 115, which are sides or parts of the same cylindrical sidewall in some embodiments. The cap 102, in addition to sealing an end of an interior space of the chamber 104, also provides a mouthpiece through which a user can draw vapor from the vaporization device 100 in some embodiments. The mouthpiece is tapered as shown in FIG. 1, and/or otherwise shaped for a user's comfort. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular shape of the cap 102.

The cap 102 could be made from one or more materials including metals, plastics, elastomers and ceramics, for example. However, other materials may also or instead be used.

In other embodiments, a mouthpiece is separate from the cap 102. For example, a cap may be connected to a mouthpiece by a hose or pipe that accommodates flow of vapor from the cap to the mouthpiece. The hose or pipe may be flexible or otherwise permit movement of the mouthpiece relative to the cap, allowing a user to orient the mouthpiece independently from the cap.

The chamber 104 is an example of a vessel to store a vaporization substance prior to vaporization. Although embodiments are described herein primarily in the context of vaporization liquids such as oil concentrates, in general a chamber may store other forms of vaporization substances, including waxes and gels for example. Vaporization substances with water-based carriers are also contemplated. A vaporization device may be capable of vaporizing water-based carriers with emulsified cannabinoids, for example. The chamber 104 may also be referred to as a container, a housing or a tank.

The chamber 104 includes outer walls 118 and 120. Although multiple outer walls are shown in FIG. 1 at 118 and 120, the chamber 104 is perhaps most often cylindrical, with a single outer wall. The outer walls 118 and 120 of the chamber 104 may be made from one or more transparent or translucent materials, such as tempered glass or plastics, in order to enable a user to visibly determine the quantity of vaporization substance in the chamber. The outer walls 118 and 120 of the chamber 104 may include markings to aid the user in determining the quantity of vaporization liquid in the chamber. The outer walls 118 and 120 are made from one or more opaque materials such as metal alloys, plastics or ceramics in some embodiments, to protect the vaporization substance from degradation by ultraviolet radiation, for example. The chamber 104 may have any of a number of different heights and/or other dimensions, to provide different interior volumes.

The chamber 104 engages the cap 102, and may be coupled to the cap, via an engagement or connection at 116. A gasket or other sealing member may be provided between the chamber 104 and the cap 102 to seal the vaporization substance in the chamber.

Some chambers are “non-recloseable” or “disposable” and cannot be opened after initial filling. Such chambers are permanently sealed once closed, and are not designed to be opened and re-sealed. Others are recloseable chambers in which the engagement at 116, between the cap 102 and the chamber 104, is releasable. For example, in some embodiments the cap 102 is a cover that releasably engages the chamber 104 and seals a vaporization substance in the chamber 104. One example of a releasable engagement disclosed elsewhere herein is a threaded engagement or other type of connection, with an abutment between the chamber 104 and the cap 102 but without necessarily an actual connection between the chamber and the cap. Such a releasable engagement permits the cap 102 to be disengaged or removed from the chamber 104 so that the chamber can be cleaned, emptied, and/or filled with a vaporization substance, for example. The cap 102 is then re-engaged with the chamber 104 to seal the vaporization substance inside the chamber.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a stem 110 inside the chamber 104. The stem 110 is a hollow tube or channel through which vapor can be drawn into and through cap 102. The stem 110 may also be referred to as a central column, a central post, a chimney, a hose or a pipe. The stem 110 includes outer walls 122 and 124, although in many embodiments the stem is cylindrical, with a single outer wall. Materials such as stainless steel, other metal alloys, plastics and ceramics may be used for stems such as the stem 110. The stem 110 couples the cap 102 via an engagement or connection 126. Similar to the engagement or connection 116, the engagement or connection 126 is a releasable engagement or connection in some embodiments, and includes a releasable engagement between the stem 110 and the cap 102. In some embodiments, the engagement 126 is in the form of, or includes, a releasable connection.

Although labeled separately in FIG. 1, the engagements at 116 and 126 are operationally related in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments screwing the cap 102 onto the stem 110 also engages the cap with the chamber 104. This is one example of a threaded connection that also releasably maintains an abutment between the chamber 104 and the cap 102 but without an actual connection between the chamber and the cap. Similarly, screwing the cap 102 onto the chamber 104 may also engage the cap with the stem 110.

An atomizer 130 is provided at the base of the stem 110, inside the chamber 104. The atomizer 130 may also be referred to as a heating element, a core, or a ceramic core. The atomizer 130 includes sidewalls 131 and 133, which actually form a single cylindrical or frustoconical wall in some embodiments, and one or more wicking holes or intake holes, one of which is shown at 134. The sidewalls of the atomizer 130 may be made from a metal alloy such as stainless steel, for example. The sidewalls 131 and 133 of the atomizer 130 are made from the same material as the stem 110 in some embodiments, or from different materials in other embodiments.

The atomizer 130 engages, and may couple with, the stem 110 via an engagement 132, and with the base 106 via an engagement 136. Although the engagements 132 and 136 may be releasable, the stem 110, the atomizer 130, and the base 106 are permanently attached together in some embodiments. The atomizer sidewalls 131 and 133 may even be formed with the stem 110 as an integrated single physical component.

In general, the atomizer 130 converts the vaporization substance in the chamber 104 into a vapor, which a user draws from the vaporization device 100 through the stem 110 and the cap 102. Vaporization liquid is drawn into the atomizer 130 through the wicking hole 134 and a wick in some embodiments. The atomizer 130 may include a heating element, such as a resistance coil around a ceramic wick, to perform the conversion of vaporization liquid into vapor. A ceramic atomizer may have an integrated heating element such as a coiled wire inside the ceramic, similar to rebar in concrete, in addition to or instead of being wrapped in a coiled wire. A quartz heater is another type of heater that may be used in an atomizer.

In some embodiments, the combination of the atomizer 130 and the chamber 104 is referred to as a cartomizer.

The base 106 supplies power to the atomizer 130, and may also be referred to as an atomizer base. The base 106 includes sidewalls 138 and 139, which form a single sidewall such as a cylindrical sidewall in some embodiments. The base 106 engages, and may also be coupled to, the chamber 104 via an engagement 128. The engagement 128 is a fixed connection in some embodiments. In other embodiments the engagement 128 is a releasable engagement, and the base 106 can be considered a form of a cover that releasably engages the chamber 104 and seals a vaporization substance in the chamber 104. In such embodiments, the engagement 128 may include a threaded engagement or connection or an abutment between the chamber 104 and the base 106, for example. A gasket or other sealing member may be provided between the chamber 104 and the base 106 to seal the vaporization substance in the chamber. Such a releasable engagement enables removal or disengagement of the base 106 from the chamber 104 to permit access to the interior of the chamber, so that the chamber can be emptied, cleaned, and/or filled with a vaporization substance, for example. The base 106 is then re-engaged with the chamber 104 to seal the vaporization substance inside the chamber.

The base 106 generally includes circuitry to supply power to the atomizer 130. For example, the base 106 may include electrical contacts that connect to corresponding electrical contacts in the battery compartment 108. The base 106 may further include electrical contacts that connect to corresponding electrical contacts in the atomizer 130. The base 106 may reduce, regulate or otherwise control the power/voltage/current output from the battery compartment 108. However, this functionality may also or instead be provided by the battery compartment 108 itself. The base 106 may be made from one or more materials including metals, plastics, elastomers and ceramics, for example, to carry or otherwise support other base components such as contacts and/or circuitry. However, other materials may also or instead be used.

The combination of a cap 102, a chamber 104, a stem 110, an atomizer 130, and a base 106 is often referred to as a cartridge or “cart”.

The battery compartment 108 could also be referred to as a battery housing. The battery compartment 108 includes sidewalls 140 and 141, a bottom 142 and a button 144. The sidewalls 140 and 141, as noted above for other sidewalls, form a single wall such as a cylindrical sidewall in some embodiments. The battery compartment 108 engages, and may also couple to, the base 106 via an engagement 146. The engagement 146 is a releasable engagement in some embodiments, such as a threaded connection or a magnetic connection, to provide access to the inside of the battery compartment 108. The battery compartment 108 may include single-use batteries or rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries. A releasable engagement 146 enables replacement of single-use batteries and/or removal of rechargeable batteries for charging, for example. In some embodiments, rechargeable batteries are recharged by an internal battery charger in the battery compartment 108 without removing them from the vaporization device 100. A charging port (not shown) may be provided in the bottom 142 or a sidewall 140, 141, for example. The battery compartment 108 may be made from the same material(s) as the base 106 or from one or more different materials.

The button 144 is one example of a user input device, which may be implemented in any of various ways. Examples include a physical or mechanical button or switch such as a push button. A touch sensitive element such as a capacitive touch sensor may also or instead be used. A user input device need not necessarily require movement of a physical or mechanical element.

Although shown in FIG. 1 as a closed or flush engagement, the engagement 146 between the base 106 and the battery compartment 108 need not necessarily be entirely closed. A gap between the sidewalls 138, 139 of the base 106 and the battery compartment 108 at the engagement 146, for example, may provide an air intake path to one or more air holes or apertures in the base that are in fluid communication with the interior of the stem 110. An air intake path may also or instead be provided in other ways, such as through one or more apertures in a sidewall 138, 139, elsewhere in the base 106, and/or in the battery compartment 108. When a user draws on a mouthpiece, air is pulled into the air intake path and through a channel. In FIG. 1, the channel runs through the atomizer 130, where air mixes with vapor formed by the atomizer, and the stem 110. The channel also runs through the cap 102 in some embodiments.

The battery compartment 108 powers the vaporization device 100 and allows powered components of the vaporization device, including at least the atomizer 130, to operate. Other powered components could include, for example, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), speakers or other elements to provide indicators of, for example, device power status (on/off), device usage status (on when a user is drawing vapor), etc. In some embodiments, speakers and/or other elements generate audible indicators such as long, short or intermittent “beep” sounds as a form of indicator of different conditions. Haptic feedback could also or instead be used to provide status or condition indicators. Varying vibrations and/or pulses, for example, may indicate different statuses or actions in a vaporization device, such as on/off, currently vaporizing, power source connected, etc. Haptic feedback may be provided using small electric motors as in devices such as mobile phones, other electrical and/or mechanical means, or even magnetic means such as one or more controlled electronic magnets.

As noted above, in some embodiments, the cap 102, the chamber 104, the stem 110, the atomizer 130, the base 106 and/or the battery compartment 108 are cylindrical in shape or otherwise shaped in a way such that sidewalls that are separately labeled in FIG. 1 are formed by a single sidewall. In these embodiments, the sidewalls 114 and 115 represent sides of the same sidewall. Similar comments apply to outer walls 118 and 120, sidewalls 131 and 133, outer walls 122 and 124, sidewalls 138 and 139, sidewalls 140 and 141, and other walls that are shown in other drawings and/or described herein. However, in general, caps, chambers, stems, atomizers, bases and/or battery compartments that are not cylindrical in shape are also contemplated. For example, these components may be rectangular, triangular, or otherwise shaped.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the vaporization device 100. In FIG. 2, the cap 102, the chamber 104, the stem 110, the atomizer 130, the base 106 and the battery compartment 108 are illustrated as being cylindrical in shape. As noted above, this is not necessarily the case in other vaporization devices. FIG. 2 also illustrates a hole 150 through the tip 112 in the cap 102. The hole 150 is coupled to the stem 110 through a channel in the cap 102. The hole 150 allows a user to draw vapor through the cap 102. In some embodiments, a user operates the button 144 to vaporize a vaporization substance for inhalation through the cap 102. Other vaporization devices are automatically activated, to supply power to powered components of the vaporization device when a user inhales through the hole 150. In such embodiments, a button 144 need not be operated to use a vaporization device, and need not necessarily even be provided at all.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of another example vaporization device 300. Reference number 301 in FIG. 3 generally designates a vape tank, with a ceramic core 302 coupled to a chamber 303 that stores a vaporization substance. The vape tank 301 is powered by a power source such as a battery inside a compartment 305 that physically and electrically connects to the vape tank. In some implementations, the vaporization device 300 has a control system (not shown) to control how the power source provides power to the vape tank 301.

During use, the vaporization substance from the chamber 303 seeps into the ceramic core 302, which heats the vaporization substance using a heating element (not shown) enough to atomize the vaporization substance, thereby producing vapor. The vapor can be drawn out of and away from the ceramic core 302 through a stem 304 and out of the vaporization device 300 through a mouthpiece 306. The structure and operation of the vaporization device 300 are consistent with those of the example vaporization device 100 in FIGS. 1-2, and is presented as a further example to illustrate another shape and form factor of a vaporization device. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in conjunction with these and/or other types of vaporization devices.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating internal structure of an example vaporization device tank 400 with a ceramic core 402. The example vape tank 400 is shown with a section removed so that internals of the vape tank can be seen. The vape tank 400 can be implemented in a vaporization device, non-limiting examples of which are shown in FIGS. 1-3. It is to be understood that the vape tank 400 is a very specific example and is provided for illustrative purposes only.

In some implementations, as shown in the illustrated example, the vape tank 400 has an inlet 401 for receiving a vaporization substance from a chamber 407. In other implementations, there is no such inlet 401 or chamber 407, and the vaporization substance is supplied to the ceramic core 402 by other means such as manual application by a user for example. The ceramic core 402 has a heating element 404 embedded therein. A physical characteristic of the ceramic core 402, such as density or porosity, enables the vaporization substance to seep through the ceramic core, particularly when the vaporization substance has been heated by the heating element 404 to reduce its viscosity.

In some implementations, the vape tank 400 has an element or component to feed the vaporization substance to the ceramic core 402. An example of such an element or component is a wick as shown at 403, disposed between the chamber 407 and the ceramic core 402. In some implementations, the wick 403 is made from cotton or any other suitable material that has a lower porosity than the ceramic core 402. In some implementations, the porosity of the wick 403 is high enough that the vaporization substance can easily seep through the wick and make contact with the ceramic core 402 even without any heating from the heating element 404 embedded in the ceramic core. The wick 403 may help provide more even contact between the vaporization substance and the ceramic core 402. In other implementations, a vape tank has no such wick 403.

In some implementations, the heating element 404 is a coil heater with a number of coil turns or loops embedded in the ceramic core 402. Three of these coil turns or loops are identified by an oval in the illustrated example, but more coil turns or loops are visible in FIG. 4. The number of coil turns or loops is implementation-specific. Other examples of heaters or heating elements are also provided herein.

The heating element 404 is embedded into the ceramic core 402 during manufacture of the ceramic core in some embodiments. The ceramic core 402 has a heat capacity, and thus embedding the coil turns or loops in the ceramic core can help to avoid a situation in which the coil turns or loops directly contact the vaporization substance and become too hot, burning rather than vaporizing the vaporization substance or at least certain components of the vaporization substance.

In some implementations, the heating element 404 is positioned closer to an inside or interior portion of the ceramic core 402 and closer to the channel 405 as shown, such that the vaporization substance may reach progressively higher temperatures as it seeps through the ceramic core towards the channel. When the vaporization substance seeping through the ceramic core 402 is sufficiently heated, it is atomized to produce a vapor, which can be drawn out through the channel 405. In other implementations, the heating element 404 is positioned in a middle portion of the ceramic core 402. In other implementations, the heating element 404 is positioned outside of the ceramic core 402 and around or in the channel 405.

The temperature at which the vaporization substance is atomized to produce the vapor may depend on any one or more of a number of factors such as the vaporization substance being used, thermal conductivity of the ceramic core 402, and/or thermal conductivity of the vaporization substance itself. As a specific example, the temperature at which the vaporization substance is atomized may be around 300° F. or higher. In a specific example, the temperature of the vaporization substance should not exceed 600° F. or else it may burn.

During use, the heating element 404 heats up the ceramic core 402 and generates vapor by atomizing the vaporization substance seeping through the ceramic core. The vapor can be drawn through a channel as shown at 405, and an air inlet 406 is disposed beneath the ceramic core 402 to facilitate airflow 405 for the channel. In some implementations, the heating element 404 is powered by a power source (not shown) and controlled by a control system (not shown). In some implementations, the power source and the control system are disposed in a compartment that physically and electrically connects to the vape tank 400. Such connections include electrical connections (not shown) between the heating element 404 and the power source and/or the control system.

Although flow through the channel is labelled at 405 at the top of the view shown in FIG. 4, it should be appreciated that embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in any of various sections or parts of a channel, including any one or more of: downstream from the ceramic core 402 in a direction of air flow during use of a vaporization device, which is above the ceramic core 402 in the view shown in FIG. 4, such as in the stem or chimney of a vaporization device; within a section or part of the channel that passes through or along the ceramic core 402; and upstream from the ceramic core 402 in a direction of air flow during use of a vaporization device, which is below the ceramic core 402 in the view shown in FIG. 4, such as in an intake section toward the air inlet 406.

Leakage of liquid(s) from a vaporization device, regardless of whether the source of such liquid(s) is condensation in the channel, collection of liquid droplets in the channel, and/or leakage of vaporization substance from a tank or chamber through an atomizer core for example, is problematic as outlined elsewhere herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to at least reduce leakage of liquid(s) from a vaporization device, if not avoiding or preventing such leakage.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vaporization apparatus such as a vaporization device, or a part of such a device such as a cartridge or tank, has a chamber to store a vaporization substance, an atomizer to generate vapor from the vaporization substance, and a channel, in fluid communication with the atomizer, to carry the vapor away from the atomizer. The atomizer includes a ceramic core in fluid communication with the chamber in some embodiments, and the vaporization substance is prevented from leaking from the vaporization apparatus through the channel.

Various examples of arrangements to prevent the vaporization substance, and/or other liquids, from leaking from a vaporization apparatus are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a liquid flow control structure is provided in the channel, to prevent the vaporization substance from leaking from the vaporization apparatus through the channel by controlling flow of the vaporization substance within the channel. Such a liquid flow control structure may take any of various forms, and examples are provided elsewhere herein.

A liquid flow control structure is not the only way to prevent or at least reduce leakage. For example, in some embodiments one or more properties of a vaporization substance prevent the vaporization substance from leaking from a vaporization apparatus through the channel. Viscosity of the vaporization substance, for example, affects how well the vaporization substance flows or seeps through a ceramic core, and therefore viscosity is one example of a property of a vaporization substance that may be selected, designed, and/or controlled to prevent the vaporization substance from leaking in or from a vaporization apparatus through the channel.

One or more properties of a ceramic core may also or instead be selected, designed, and/or controlled to prevent the vaporization substance from leaking in or from a vaporization apparatus through the channel, by preventing or at least reducing leakage of the vaporization substance into the channel through the ceramic core. Examples of ceramic core properties, any one or more of which may be used for leakage prevention or control in some embodiments, include material(s) in the ceramic core, porosity of the ceramic core, and density of the ceramic core.

These examples of using one or more properties of a vaporization substance and using one or more properties of a ceramic core to prevent or at least reduce liquid leakage from a vaporization apparatus are not necessarily mutually exclusive. In some embodiments, one or more properties of a vaporization substance and one or more properties of a ceramic core are used in combination to prevent or at least reduce liquid leakage in or from a vaporization apparatus. In such embodiments, these properties in combination contribute to preventing the vaporization substance from leaking from the vaporization apparatus through the channel or at least reducing the amount of leakage. One or more vaporization substance properties and/or one or more ceramic core properties may also or instead be used in combination with one or more other features disclosed herein, such as a liquid flow control structure in a channel.

Liquid leakage, and/or non-leakage, may be defined, quantized, or characterized in any of various ways. For example, an amount of liquid may be defined or specified in terms of a parameter such as any one or more of: liquid volume, liquid mass, volume of one or more components of a vaporization substance, and mass of one or more components. Leakage may be defined or specified as an amount relative to a parameter such as any one or more of: time, total air or vapor flow through a channel, flow of vaporization substance through a core, and/or amount of vaporization substance in a chamber or tank.

In an embodiment, leakage is defined as any amount of liquid reaching a battery terminal or contact. Leakage may also or instead be defined as any amount of liquid reaching a power terminal or contact, and/or any amount of liquid reaching a control terminal or contact. An “any amount” leakage definition or parameter is an example of a zero threshold or limit to define leakage or non-leakage. It may be that a certain amount of liquid reaching a terminal or contact may be tolerable or permissible, in which case leakage may be defined as a liquid amount of more than a maximum permissible amount of liquid reaching a terminal or contact, such as a battery terminal or contact, a power terminal or contact, or a control terminal or contact. Another possible option is to define or characterize leakage is a liquid amount of more than an amount of liquid that would interfere with operation of a terminal or contact, such as a battery terminal or contact, a power terminal or contact, or a control terminal or contact.

Terminals or contacts represent examples of locations or points at which leakage might be observable or important to users. Other locations or points may include, for example, locations or points at which air enters or exits a channel of a vaporization device. These locations or points may include air inlets and/or outlets. A mouthpiece may include an air outlet, for example. Leakage may be defined or characterized as any amount of liquid leakage, or an amount above a permissible amount of liquid leakage, at any location or point in a vaporization device.

An amount that would interfere with operation of a terminal or contact, as noted above, is one example of a maximum permissible amount of liquid leakage. Another example is an amount that would be visible and therefore visually perceptible by a user. A further example is an amount that would perceptibly block a channel or at least part of a channel through a vaporization device, to an extent that would be perceptible by a user inhaling on a vaporization device. Yet another example is an amount of liquid that is perceptible to a user as a deposit, film, or coating of liquid on the user's lips, teeth, tongue, cheeks, throat and/other parts of a user's mouth or inhalation path.

Leakage may also or instead be defined or characterized in respect of particular measures or units. For example, a drop of liquid from a mouthpiece or other part of channel through a vaporization device may have a volume of about 0.05 mL, and leakage may be defined as any liquid amount of 0.05 mL or greater.

Relative definitions of leakage are also contemplated. For example, with a total vaporization substance volume or capacity of about 1 mL in a vaporization device chamber and a drop size of about 0.05 mL, leakage may be defined as less than 5% of vaporization substance volume over the useful life or shelf life of the vaporization substance. For 0.5 mL volume or capacity and a drop size of about 0.05 mL, leakage may be defined as less than 10% of vaporization substance volume over the useful life or shelf life of the vaporization substance. Other leakage limits are possible. Leakage could potentially be defined as more than 5% to 15% of vaporization substance capacity in other embodiments.

Leakage may also or instead be defined in terms of a leakage test protocol. For example, leakage may be defined as no visually, and/or potentially otherwise, perceptible leakage onto blotting paper or another medium after a certain amount of time such as one hour, at a particular orientation, such as with a vaporization device or chamber positioned in an inverted angle of 45° below horizontal and with mouthpiece end of the device or chamber in the lowest possible position and free of any obstruction.

Other conditions may also or instead be specified. Leakage or non-leakage may be defined in terms of negative air pressure conditions in a channel during usage of a vaporization device, for example. Any of various other conditions may be useful in assessing, determining, or specifying leakage and/or non-leakage.

These are just a few examples of how leakage, and/or non-leakage, of liquid may be defined or characterized. In general, liquid leakage may be defined or characterized as an amount that is above one or more thresholds, and liquid non-leakage may be defined or characterized as an amount that is below one or more thresholds. A liquid amount that is at one or more thresholds may be classified as leakage or non-leakage.

Leakage or non-leakage parameters may include any of various units or measures of such physical characteristics or properties as liquid volume, liquid mass, volume of one or more components of a vaporization substance, and/or mass of one or more components of a vaporization substance. Units or measures need not necessarily be absolute. Examples of relative units or measures include percentage or other portion of total vaporization substance in a vaporization device or chamber, percentage or other portion of liquid content in a volume of vapor inhaled by a user, percentage or other portion of vaporization channel volume occupied by liquid, and percentage or portion of liquid that condenses or otherwise collects in a vaporization device channel relative to amount of liquid that is actually vaporized.

Leakage need not be defined only by relative or absolute liquid amounts. Leakage may also be defined or specified in terms of rate parameters, to define leakage as liquid amount versus time, liquid amount versus air or vapor flow through a vaporization device channel, and/or liquid amount versus flow of vaporization substance through a vaporization device core, for example.

Various examples of leakage in terms of perceptible amounts are also provided above.

Other units, measures, properties, or characteristics that may be useful in defining, specifying, and/or characterizing leakage (and/or non-leakage) include:

vapor volume and/or mass, from vaporization of a vaporization substance, per pull by a user (for example, at or below one or more thresholds to qualify as non-leakage and/or at or above one or more thresholds to qualify as leakage);

active ingredient amount(s) by volume and/or mass, in a vapor stream and/or liquid form (for example, at or below one or more thresholds to qualify as non-leakage and/or at or above one or more thresholds to qualify as leakage);

target mass flow rate or range of mass flow rates of vaporization substance through a ceramic core (for example, at or below one or more thresholds to qualify as non-leakage and/or at or above one or more thresholds to qualify as leakage);

target effective vaporization of a vaporization liquid, as a measure of how much vaporization substance is lost or not lost to liquid leakage (for example, at or above one or more thresholds to qualify as non-leakage and/or at or below one or more thresholds to qualify as leakage).

In some embodiments, a vaporization apparatus is considered to be non-leaking under a condition that leakage of a vaporization substance is limited to a maximum mass or volume of liquid, or of one or more components such as an active ingredient and/or other component of a vaporization substance, per unit volume of fluid flow through the channel during use by a user. Leakage may be further specified or defined in terms of other parameters such as a flow rate of fluid through the channel, during use of a vaporization device and/or when a vaporization device is not in use.

A ceramic core and a particular vaporization substance, for example, may be used in combination to provide a target mass flow of vaporization substance. Such mass flow may be quantized as an amount of vaporization substance, and/or one or more components such as an active ingredient, per unit of ceramic core surface area facing the channel and per unit of time, for example. Parameters such as any one or more of the following may affect the mass flow and/or otherwise contribute to liquid exiting the channel: thickness, material, porosity, and/or density of the ceramic core, viscosity of the vaporization substance, fluid flow through the channel, and pressure within the channel. Within the context of mass flow, other ways to define leakage prevention include, for example: limiting leakage to a maximum differential between mass flow of vaporization substance through the ceramic core and an amount of the vaporization substance that is actually vaporized, and limiting leakage to a maximum portion (e.g., 5%) of the mass flow of vaporization substance through the ceramic core.

In some embodiments, leakage is defined in terms of a portion of vaporization substance. Leakage prevention may then be specified as leakage of less than a maximum portion of vaporization substance over time, such as less than 5% of initial volume or amount of a vaporization substance and/or one or more components thereof, over a time period such as a typical useful life span of a vaporization device. For example, a non-refillable vaporization cartridge has a useful life span of one month in some embodiments, and leakage prevention is defined as less than a maximum portion of vaporization cartridge content in a one month period.

In another embodiment, leakage of a vaporization substance is limited to an absolute maximum liquid amount such as a volume, rather than a relative amount, over a period of time.

Non-limiting examples of preventing leakage of a vaporization substance include the following, which are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and may be used in conjunction with or instead of any of various other examples such as those disclosed herein:

leakage of the vaporization substance is limited to, or equivalently a liquid is prevented from leaking through the channel in an amount above, a maximum liquid mass per unit or other measure of volume of fluid flow through a vaporization device channel;

leakage of the vaporization substance is limited to, or equivalently a liquid is prevented from leaking through the channel in an amount above, a maximum liquid volume per unit or other measure of volume of fluid flow through the channel;

leakage of the vaporization substance is limited to, or equivalently a liquid is prevented from leaking through the channel in an amount above, a maximum differential between mass flow of the vaporization substance through the ceramic core and generation of vapor from the vaporization substance by the atomizer;

leakage of the vaporization substance is limited to, or equivalently a liquid is prevented from leaking through the channel in an amount above, a maximum liquid volume per unit or other measure of time;

leakage of the vaporization substance is limited to, or equivalently a liquid is prevented from leaking through the channel in an amount above, a maximum permissible amount of liquid reaching a terminal or contact.

These are illustrative examples of how liquid leakage is characterized in some embodiments. Other embodiments may characterize leakage, leakage prevention, and/or a non-leaking feature in term of fewer, different, and/or additional parameters. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular manner of expressing leakage or non-leakage.

A vaporization apparatus according to another embodiment includes an atomizer to generate vapor from a vaporization substance, a channel in fluid communication with the atomizer to carry the vapor away from the atomizer, and a liquid flow control structure in the channel, to control flow of liquid within the channel. Examples of such a channel include the stem 110, which is in fluid communication with the atomizer 130 in FIGS. 1-2. A channel to carry vapor away from an atomizer may also include parts or portions of a passage through an atomizer and/or an air intake, as perhaps shown most clearly in FIG. 4. A channel therefore is not necessarily located entirely or only at a particular end or location relative to an atomizer. References herein to a channel should be interpreted accordingly.

In some embodiments, a liquid flow control structure is configured to contain liquid within a channel. In other embodiments, a liquid flow control structure is configured to impede flow of the liquid within the channel. Several examples of a liquid flow control structure are provided herein.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of one such example, in the form of an example perforated plate 500. The example perforated plate 500 includes multiple perforations 502. Although multiple perforations 502 are shown, in general a perforated plate includes one or more perforations. A channel 504 is shown in dashed-line outline, to illustrate that a perforated plate 500 may, but need not necessarily, be pre-installed in a channel. A perforated plate 500 may be available separately from a channel and/or other elements of a vaporization device, as a retrofit or add-on for example.

The perforated plate 500 may be made from any of various materials. In an embodiment, the perforated plate 500 is made from or includes the same material(s) as a vaporization device stem, such as stainless steel and/or other examples provided elsewhere herein. In other embodiments, the perforated plate 500 is made from or includes the same material(s) as a vaporization device atomizer, core, chamber, or cap. A perforated plate may be made from or include other materials.

Any of various manufacturing processes may be used in making a perforated plate 500. A stamping and/or punching process, for example, may be used to form plate blanks and/or perforations 502. The perforations 502 could instead be drilled or otherwise formed in a plate blank. Casting, molding, and extrusion are other possible options for manufacturing perforated plates.

The term “plate” as used herein is not limited only to a disc or blank of material in which or into which perforations 502 are formed. A perforated plate may also or instead include or be formed partially or primarily from a perforated material such as a screen or mesh.

The perforations 502 are sized to permit flow of air and atomized vaporization substance, but resist or restrict flow of liquid. Perforation size is chosen accordingly, to be large enough to pass droplets up to a certain size and to block or at the very least limit or impede flow of larger droplets or liquid.

For liquid flow control, a perforated plate 500 is installed across a channel 504. In the case of a circular channel, for example, the perforated plate 500 may have a diameter that substantially matches the inside diameter of the channel. A matching or slightly larger diameter of the perforated plate 500 may be useful to enable the perforated plate to be held in place in the channel by friction fit. In other embodiments, a perforated plate and channel have other shapes and/or sizes that substantially match.

Friction fit is just one example of an engagement between a channel and a perforated plate. One or both of a channel and a perforated plate may have engagement structures, such as inner ridges, rings, and/or other structures on the inside surface of the channel, for example, to assist in positioning, holding, and/or sealing a perforated plate in place. One or more fasteners, connectors, and/or adhesives may be used in other embodiments to couple a perforated plate to a channel. A sealing compound and/or a gasket, seal, or other sealing element may be used to provide a liquid-tight seal between a perforated plate and a channel. Such a liquid-tight seal is provided in some embodiments to prevent, or at least reduce, liquid leaking around the edges of a perforated plate.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an enlarged section 600 of another example perforated plate. The enlarged section 600 is shown in FIG. 6 to illustrate walled or “lipped” perforations 602, 604. In the example shown, each wall 610, 612 extends from a perforated plate to block liquid at a level below a height 622, 624 of the wall from entering a perforation 602, 604 in the perforated plate. The walls 610, 612 may be formed with the perforations, as part of a punching or stamping process, for example, or added to a perforated plate as separate elements. Any one or more perforations in a perforated plate may have surrounding walls such as 610, 612.

The example perforated plate 500 in FIG. 5 and the enlarged section 600 in FIG. 6 represent substantially planar perforated plates. Other plate profiles are also possible. For example, in some embodiments a perforated plate provides somewhere for liquid to pool, away from one or more perforations in the plate. In this regard, a perforated plate may include a pooling area, displaced from a perforation in the perforated plate, to provide for pooling of liquid. Liquid may also or instead be diverted away from plate perforation. In an embodiment a perforated plate includes a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from a perforation in the perforated plate. For example, a concave area in a perforated plate is an example of a pooling area, and a convex area in a perforated plate is an example of a liquid diversion feature.

FIGS. 7A to 7D illustrate example pooling areas and liquid diversion features provided in a perforated plate in some embodiments. Cross-sectional views of perforated plates are shown in these drawings to best illustrate pooling areas and liquid diversion features that may be provided for any one or more perforations in a perforated plate.

At 710 in FIG. 7A, a raised perforation 712 is shown. Raised plate surfaces 714, 716 adjacent to the perforation 712 divert liquid away from the perforation, and represent one example of a liquid diversion feature. In an embodiment, the raised surfaces 714, 716 are parts of a frustoconical structure, and the perforation 712 is located at the top of that structure. In another embodiment, the raised surfaces 714, 716 are part of a corrugation. Raised plate surfaces could be formed at the same time and/or in the same process as a perforation, or separately.

Raised perforations such as 712 are disposed, displaced, or offset from a remainder of a surface 718, 720 of a perforated plate. Diversion of liquid away from raised perforations may result in collection or pooling of liquid at lower areas of a perforated plate, which are labeled in FIG. 7A at 726, 728 and also referred to herein as pooling areas.

In FIG. 7B, at 730 another raised perforation 732 is shown. The example 730 is similar to the example 710 in FIG. 7A, with the exception of the shape of the raised plate surfaces 734, 736. These raised plate surfaces 734, 736 are adjacent to the perforation 732 and are another example of a liquid diversion feature to divert liquid away from a perforation. In an embodiment, the raised surfaces 734, 736 are parts of a convex, hemispherical, or otherwise curved structure, with the perforation 732 at the top of the structure. A raised structure could be formed at the same time and/or in the same process as the perforation 732, or separately.

The perforation 732 is displaced from a remainder of a surface 738, 740 of a perforated plate, creating pooling areas 746, 748.

The examples shown at 750, 770 in FIGS. 7C and 7D are substantially similar to the examples 710, 730 in FIGS. 7A and 7B, but with the perforations 752, 772 in flat rather than slanted or curved sections of a plate. Slanted surfaces 754, 756 in FIG. 7C divert liquid away from the perforation 752, and also define, with the slanted surfaces 762, 764, pooling areas 766, 768. Curved surfaces 778, 780 in FIG. 7D define concave pooling areas 786, 788, and parts of those curved surfaces also divert liquid away from the perforation 772.

Other shapes and/or arrangements of perforations and perforated plates are possible. A perforated plate may include multiple perforations in a raised area, for example. Referring to FIG. 7B for illustrative purposes, a raised area could span a majority of the surface area of a perforated plate, and a circumferential lower surface 738, 740 provides a pooling area in which collected liquid can pool. Such a pooling area, or pooling areas more generally, may be located adjacent a core of a vaporization apparatus, to provide an opportunity for liquid vaporization substance and/or one or more components of a vaporization substance, to be re-absorbed into the core and (re-)vaporized.

Other features may also or instead be provided. For example, a perforated plate is also heated in some embodiments. A perforated plate may include a heating element for example. Possible heating implementations include a coil heater integrated into, disposed on, or otherwise coupled to a perforated plate to heat the perforated plate. One or more other elements of a vaporization device or apparatus, such as an atomizer, a stem, and/or a base, or elements therein, may act as a conductor to provide a connection that delivers power to a plate heating element from a battery in a battery compartment with which the base engages. However, one or more separate electrical conductors could also or instead be provided, for example, from a base and along an inner or outer wall of a stem, along an outer or inner wall of a chamber, and/or elsewhere in a vaporization device or apparatus to deliver power to a plate heating element. The plate heating element could be electrically coupled to an atomizer or to power and/or control terminals or connections in the atomizer, with internal conductors inside a stem for example. Conductors could be implemented using transparent conductors, such as indium tin oxide films, so that they are not noticeable to a user. Alternatively, a separate power source such as a battery could be provided to power a plate heating element.

Heating of a perforated plate may be useful, for example, to heat liquid that has collected in a channel. Heating the liquid may decrease its viscosity, which may in turn aid in having the liquid flow to one or more pooling areas. A perforated plate may also or instead be heated to re-vaporize liquid vaporization substance that has leaked from a core into a channel, condensed in the channel, or otherwise collected in the channel. Another possible application of heating in a perforated plate is periodic cleaning of the channel. A perforated plate may be heated to a temperature above a vaporization temperature, a boiling point, and/or a combustion temperature when a vaporization device or apparatus is not in use, in order to vaporize, boil off, or burn off liquid and/or residue from the perforated plate. Temperatures during a cleaning cycle may be higher than normal operating temperatures, and/or the vapor(s) produced from cleaning might not be pleasant or safe for user consumption. Therefore a cleaning cycle that is separate from normal operation of a vaporization device or apparatus may be preferred. For example, a cleaning cycle could be initiated by operating a different user input device or selecting a different operating mode than an input device or mode that is used to initiate normal operation for vaporization. One possible option for automatic initiation of a cleaning mode without operating a user input device is a user blowing into instead of drawing on a mouthpiece.

In some embodiments, a vaporization apparatus includes multiple perforated plates across the channel. One possible application of multiple perforated plates is to contain liquid within a particular part of a channel. In an embodiment, a perforated plate is positioned across a channel at or toward one end of an atomizer core, and another perforated plate is positioned across the channel at or toward an opposite end of the atomizer core, to contain liquid within the vicinity of the atomizer core. Such an arrangement potentially increases the likelihood of (re-)absorption leaked or condensed vaporization substance into the core for (re-) vaporization.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an embodiment that includes multiple perforated plates. An inner surface of a channel is represented in FIG. 8 by the dashed lines at the left and right edges of the perforated plates 810, 820 in the view shown in FIG. 8.

Each of the perforated places 810, 820 has perforations 812, 822 therein. Material, manufacturing, and engagement or coupling options for perforated plates as disclosed elsewhere herein also apply to the perforated plates 810, 820. Other perforated plate options, such as any one or more of walled or lipped perforations, pooling areas, liquid diversion features, and heating, may be applied to one or more of the perforated plates in multi-plate embodiments.

All perforated plates in a multi-plate embodiment need not be identical or arranged identically. For example, perforated plates may have different numbers of perforations, as shown in FIG. 8.

Plates may also or instead vary in orientation, with different relative orientations of perforations and/or in other ways. With reference to FIG. 7A as an example, adjacent perforated plates that are intended to contain liquid between them may be oriented with their raised perforations facing each other. For example, a “bottom” plate toward an air intake end of an atomizer core may be oriented as shown in FIG. 7A, whereas an adjacent “top” plate toward an opposite end of the atomizer core may be oriented with its perforations 712 facing the opposite direction. A ‘flipped” plate orientation of a top plate in this example may be beneficial in diverting liquid that does happen to collect outside the target containment area toward the top plate perforations, so that such liquid re-enters the target containment area between the perforated plates. This orientation also diverts liquid that might be drawn upwards in a vapor flow during a pull by a user away from top plate perforations.

Perforated plates of the types shown in FIGS. 7B-7D may also or instead be oriented in different ways in multi-plate embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates another orientation feature that may be implemented in multi-plate embodiments. The dashed line at 830 and the “*” symbol at 832 illustrate that a perforation in the perforated plate 820 is out of alignment with the perforations 812 in the perforated plate 810. The dashed line at 840 and the “*” symbol at 842 similarly illustrate that a perforation in the perforated plate 810 is out of alignment with the perforations 822 in the perforated plate 820. The perforations in the perforated plates 810, 820 are misaligned relative to a direction in which the channel extends, which may be referred to as a longitudinal direction or axial direction. This type of arrangement of perforated plates such as 810, 820, with perforations in adjacent perforated plates being misaligned between the adjacent perforated plates, may assist in resisting liquid flow by providing a labyrinthine flow path. Although a vapor stream that includes liquid droplets of a certain size may be relatively easily drawn through labyrinthine flow paths, larger droplets are less likely to successfully navigate such flow paths as a result of their larger size and resultant larger weight and higher momentum at fluid flow speed during user inhalation.

Labyrinthine flow paths may also or instead be implemented in other ways, such as in a channel itself. For example, a cylindrical channel may include sections that are offset from each other radially (side by side) but in fluid communication through one or more radial flow channels through which larger liquid droplets are less likely to be drawn by a user. Another example of a flow path-based liquid flow control structure is a bend or turn in the channel. Such a bend or turn may be provided in any of various parts of a channel, including in a mouthpiece.

A liquid flow control structure may include one or more perforated plates as described herein at least with reference to FIGS. 5-8. Other types of liquid flow control structure are also possible. For example, a liquid flow control structure may include one or more valves to permit air flow in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid.

FIG. 9 includes cross-sectional views of an example valve in each of three operating positions, to illustrate how a valve may permit air flow but block or at least restrict liquid flow in an embodiment. The example valve 902 includes a cap 904, which may be considered a form of sealing element, one or more perforated side walls 906, and one or more base members 908. A valve also includes a biasing element or member in some embodiments. An example of a biasing element is shown in the middle part of FIG. 9 as a coil spring 914 between a base member and a perforated plate 900, to bias the valve 902 toward a normally closed position to seal a perforation in which the valve is positioned.

In some embodiments, the cap 904 is made from or at least includes a seal or sealing material such as rubber to seal the perforation against vapor and liquid flow when the valve is closed. The cap 904 may seal the perforation around a top edge of the perforation in the view shown in FIG. 9, although other sealing arrangements are also possible. A valve, when closed, may also or instead seal a perforation around the inner surface of the perforation, for example. A seal or sealing member may be provided on or in the plate 900 in some embodiments, in which case the cap 904 seals against a seal that is not actually part of the cap itself. In any case, the valve cap 904 is structured or otherwise configured to seal the perforation against liquid leakage when the valve 902 is closed.

The cap 904 may also include metal such as stainless steel, and/or another material, to enable liquid that collects on top of the cap to more easily flow off the cap. Liquid collected on the cap 904 adds weight, which may affect operation of the valve 902 by increasing the amount of weight that must be displaced by vapor flow in order to open the valve. Shape or profile of a cap may also or instead be used to avoid collection of liquid or at least reduce an amount of liquid that may collect on a valve cap. The convex shape of the cap 904 is one example of a shape or profile that may be useful for this purpose. It is possible that a liquid level above the plate 900 will be above the height of the cap 904, and in such conditions a convex shape as shown cannot avoid liquid collecting above the valve but may at least reduce the amount of resistance that must be overcome in order to move the valve from its closed position. A valve with a convex cap 904 can be moved through a liquid more easily and with less input force than a valve with a rectangular shape or a concave shape, for example.

The one or more perforated side walls 906 are coupled to the cap 904. The perforated side wall(s) 906 and the cap 904 may be coupled together by adhesive, welding, and/or one or more fasteners, for example, or by being made as an integrated component. In some embodiments, a perforated side wall 906 is made from or includes a metal such as stainless steel. Other materials are also possible.

A lubricant and/or other coating may be applied to the perforated side wall(s) 906 and/or to an inner surface of the perforation to avoid, or at least reduce the likelihood of, the valve sticking in the perforation. In some embodiments, the perforation is circular and the perforated side wall is a cylindrical side wall. Other shapes are also possible.

Perforations in the perforated side wall(s) 906 may be in the form of slots or holes, for example. A perforated side wall 906 may also or instead include or be formed partially or primarily from a perforated material such as a screen or mesh In some embodiments, the perforations in a side wall 906 are sized to permit flow of air and atomized vaporization substance, and to resist or restrict flow of liquid. As described herein in the context of a perforated place, perforation size may be chosen accordingly, to be large enough to pass expected droplet sizes and to block or at the very least limit or impede flow of larger droplets or liquid when the valve 902 is open. Features that are described elsewhere herein in the context of perforated plates, including options for making such plates, may also or instead be applied to perforated side walls such as 906.

For at least some liquids, viscosity may be high enough that vapor flow during use of a vaporization apparatus is sufficient to prevent liquid flow through a valve in a direction opposite to the vapor flow. Perforation size for perforations in a perforated side wall such as 906 may therefore be selected based at least in part on expected viscosity of liquid in a channel. The perforated side wall(s) 906 are potentially exposed to liquid only when the valve 902 is open and vapor is flowing, and accordingly perforations in such a perforated side wall need not necessarily be as resistant to liquid flow as perforations in some other embodiments. Smaller perforations may be preferred, for example, in the case of a perforated plate with one or more perforations that do not have valves positioned therein.

The one or more base members 908 are coupled to the perforated side wall(s) 906 by adhesive, welding, and/or one or more fasteners, for example, or by being made as an integrated component with the side wall(s). In some embodiments, a base member 908 is made from or includes a metal such as stainless steel, but other materials are also possible.

In an embodiment, the cap 904 includes a stainless steel top and a gasket or seal to engage the top surface of the perforated plate 900 in the view shown in FIG. 9, the plate 900 is a perforated stainless steel plate with perforations large enough to accommodate the valve 902, a cylindrical wall forms the perforated side wall 906, and a flange that is integrated with or otherwise coupled to the cylindrical side wall forms the base member 908.

Turning now to valve operation, suppose that liquid is above the plate 900. The valve 902 is closed under a condition of no vapor flow, to seal the perforation in which the valve is located. The coil spring 914 is an example of a biasing element to bias or force the valve 902 toward a closed position, sealing the perforation against leakage of liquid from above the perforated plate 900.

At the left in FIG. 9, the valve 902 is shown in an open position under normal vapor conditions during inhalation by a user. The user inhales on a mouthpiece of a vaporization device, for example, which creates an air pressure differential across the valve cap 904 and results in opening of the valve to permit vapor flow through the perforated side wall(s) 906 as shown at 910. The valve 902 opens when the air pressure differential is sufficient to overcome a biasing or closing force that maintains the valve in the closed position.

At the middle of FIG. 9, a condition of decreasing vapor flow is shown, and the valve 902 moves toward a closed position, as indicated by the arrow 912, under force of a biasing element such as the coil spring 914 in some embodiments. Below a threshold flow level, the vapor flow is insufficient to overcome a minimum force required to keep the valve 902 open, and the valve closes to seal the perforation in which the valve is positioned. This minimum force to keep the valve 902 open may be the same as, lower than, or higher than a minimum force to move the valve from a closed position. Characteristics such as valve type, valve shape, sliding resistance between the valve side wall(s) 906 and the perforation, biasing element type, and biasing force are examples of control points or features, any one or more of which may be designed, selected, and/or adjusted to provide desired valve operation under expected usage conditions.

FIG. 9 illustrates, by way of example, a valve 902 positioned in a perforation of a perforated plate 900. Such a valve may be implemented in combination with other features disclosed herein. For example, a liquid flow control structure could also include a wall to block liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering a perforation in the perforated plate, such as shown in FIG. 6. Such a wall could be provided for a perforation in which a valve is positioned and/or in a perforation that does not include a valve. In other words, a perforated plate could include one or more perforations with valves and one or more perforations without valves, and any of those perforations may be walled or lipped perforations.

In the case of a perforation with a wall and a valve, the valve may seal the perforation by sealing against a surface of a perforated plate around the wall, such as around a wall 610, 612 in FIG. 6; against a part of the wall that extends from the surface, such as along an outside surface of a wall 610, 612 within the wall height 622, 624; against a distal edge of the wall, such as the top edge of a wall 610, 612 in the view shown in FIG. 6; and/or against an inside surface of the wall. The valve and/or the wall may include a seal or sealing element to provide for or improve sealing of the perforation.

A wall to block liquid from entering a perforation extends from a perforated plate in some embodiments such as shown in FIG. 6. In other embodiments, such a wall is part of a valve. Embodiments including both a wall extending from a plate and a wall that is part of a valve, to block liquid from entering the same perforation, are also possible.

A pooling area and/or a liquid diversion feature may be provided in embodiments that include valves. For example, a perforated plate that includes perforations, any one or more of which have a valve positioned therein, may also include one or more pooling areas and/or one or more liquid diversion features. A liquid diversion feature may be provided to divert liquid from a valved perforation and/or a non-valved or valveless perforation that does not include a valve.

Heating may also or instead be provided in embodiments that include one or more valves. A perforated plate with at least one perforation in which a valve is positioned may also include one or more heater elements, to heat the plate or particular parts of the plate, such as only valved perforations, only non-valved perforations, only perforations at particular locations, etc.

A valve itself, or parts thereof, could also or instead be heated. For example, viscosity of a vaporization substance may decrease with increasing temperature. Heating a valve or part(s) of a valve may be useful in preventing or at least reducing buildup of vaporization substance and affecting valve operation. The cap 904 of the valve 902 in FIG. 9 for example, is heated in some embodiments to enable vaporization substance that has collected on the cap to more easily flow off the cap, and potentially flow to a pooling area or collection area or otherwise flow away from the valve.

A heating element to heat a valve or one or more parts of the valve may be provided as part of a valve itself, or otherwise be part of a vaporization device.

Liquid flow relative to parts of a vaporization apparatus may also or instead be taken into account in other aspects of structure and/or design. Consider again the example valve 902 in FIG. 9, in an embodiment in which a pooling area and/or liquid diversion feature is provided to direct liquid away from the perforation and the valve. This may be helpful in avoiding the perforated side wall(s) 906 becoming fouled with vaporization substance that might otherwise collect around the valve on the top surface of the perforated plate 900 in the view shown in FIG. 9. When the valve 902 is open or partially open, liquid could flow from the top of the cap 904, around its edge, and onto a perforated side wall(s) 906 that is at or close to the edge of the cap. Such liquid flow may affect operation of the valve and/or how well a vapor stream is able to pass through the perforated side wall(s) 906. This could be an issue, for example, for a liquid that is thicker, is more viscous, and/or has a higher surface tension than other liquids.

The offset or reveal of the edge of the cap 904 relative to perforated side wall(s) 906 may help address this issue. The size of such an offset may be determined based on such parameters as one or more of: expected liquid viscosity and expected liquid surface tension. With such an offset, it is more likely that liquid will drip from the edge of the cap 904 instead of flowing around the edge far enough to reach the perforated side wall(s) 906. This is an example of how a perforated wall may be disposed in a valve to space a perforation in the perforated wall away from a liquid-contacting component of a vaporization apparatus. The liquid-contacting component is another component of the valve, specifically the valve cap 904, in this example.

In another embodiment, a liquid-contacting component of the vaporization apparatus from which a perforation in a valve wall is spaced is a perforated plate on or in which the valve is positioned. For example, the valve 902 may be loosely fit into a perforation so that there is a clearance between the edge of the perforation and the perforated side wall(s) 906. In an embodiment with walled or lipped perforations, a perforated valve wall such as 906 may be positioned in a valve so that a perforation in the valve side wall is disposed from an inner surface of the perforation wall or lip, which may be expected to be in contact with liquid. A valve cap and a perforation wall or lip are sized in some embodiments so that a drip edge of the valve cap directs liquid from a top of a valve to outside the perforation wall, and a perforated wall of the valve is inside the perforation wall or lip.

Other types of valve are also possible. FIG. 10 illustrates two other example valves 1010, 1030. Although these valves are illustrated in conjunction with the same perforated plate 1000, these valves are not in any way interdependent. These valves 1010, 1030 may, but need not necessarily, be implemented together, in the same perforated plate or in the same vaporization device or apparatus.

The example valve 1010 is in cross-section to illustrate internal structure. The example valve 1030 has a similar internal structure, but is not shown in cross-section so that external structure is visible.

The example valves 1010, 1030 each have a cap 1012, 1022. The cap 1012 has a substantially flat top, and the cap 1022 has a convex top. In the embodiments shown, each valve 1010, 1030 also has one or more side walls coupled to the cap 1012, 1022, with a solid section or part 1014, 1024 and a perforated section or part 1016, 1026. The combination of parts 1012, 1014, 1016 in the valve 1010 may also collectively be referred to as a cap in reference to some valves. Similarly, the combination of parts 1022, 1024, 1026 in the valve 1030 may also collectively be referred to as a cap in reference to some valves.

One or more wall(s) or riser(s) 1018, 1028 extend from the perforated plate 1000 in the illustrated embodiment, but in other embodiments one or more such walls may also or instead be provided as part of a valve 1010, 1030, and/or separately from any valve and the perforated plate. Material and manufacturing options, shapes or profiles, as well as other features relating to valves and perforated plates, are disclosed elsewhere herein and may be applied to the example valves 1010, 1030 and/or perforated plate 1000.

In some embodiments, each valve 1010, 1030 is fixed and vapor flows through the channel provided by the wall(s) 1018, 1028, around the top edge(s) of the wall(s), and through the perforated section(s) 1016, 1026 of the valve side wall(s). This is another example of a labyrinthine flow path, and is perhaps most clearly shown in the cross-sectional view of the valve 1010. Flow may also or instead be around the edge(s) of valve cap side wall(s) in some embodiments.

Fixed valves having structures as shown in FIG. 10 may be suitable, for example, for embodiments in which liquid levels are not expected to exceed a height of the wall(s) 1018, 1028, and/or embodiments in which vapor flow or at least air flow is continuous and sufficient to avoid liquid leaking around the wall(s) 1018, 1028 and through a perforation in the perforated plate 1000. In other embodiments, a cap or side walls of a cap seal against the surface of the perforated plate 1000 and/or against the wall(s) 1018, 1028 to prevent or at least reduce such leakage. A seal such as a gasket or O-ring in the case of a circular valve cap, and/or other sealing element(s), may be implemented to provide for sealing at one or more locations. A seal may be part of a valve cap 1012, 1022, part of a perforated plate 1000, and/or a separate element. In embodiments that include such sealing, the perforated side wall(s) 1016, 1026 permit vapor flow but restrict or block liquid flow.

The valve structures shown in FIG. 10 are not limited only to fixed valves. Valves with similar structures may have movable caps that open and close a channel based on a pressure differential and vapor flow as described herein at least with reference to FIG. 9.

Other features may also or instead be implemented in conjunction with valves having structures similar to those in FIG. 10. For example, embodiments including such valves could also include any one or more of: a pooling area, a liquid diversion feature, a heating element to heat a perforated plate such as 1000 or one or more parts of a perforated plate, and a heating element to heat a valve or one or more parts of a valve.

The valves 1010, 1030 are also illustrative of valves in which a perforated wall is disposed in the valve to space a perforation in the perforated wall away from a liquid-contacting component of a vaporization apparatus. At least at lower liquid levels below a bottom edge of the perforated side wall(s)1018, 1028 in the view shown in FIG. 10, one or more perforations in the perforated side wall(s) are spaced away from the perforated plate 1000 and the wall(s) 1018, 1028, which are examples of liquid-contacting components. The positioning of one or more perforations in a perforated wall may also provide such spacing.

For example, positioning perforations higher on valve side walls may space those perforations farther away from at least the perforated plate 1000, which would be expected to contact liquid that collects in a channel.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are described above primarily in the context of single-valve embodiments. Multi-valve embodiments are also contemplated.

As noted above with reference to FIG. 10, the valves 1010, 1030 may be implemented together. Multiple valves may be positioned in perforations in the same perforated plate, and this is one example of a multi-valve embodiment. Valves may also or instead be positioned in perforations of different perforated plates. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment that includes multiple valves 1120, 1130, in multiple perforated plates 1122, 1132 across a channel 1140. In the example shown, the perforated plates 1122, 1132 are across a channel at or near opposite ends of an atomizer core 1100. Examples of all of these components are provided elsewhere herein. Although valves of the types shown in FIG. 9 are illustrated in FIG. 11, multi-valve embodiments are not in any way limited to any particular valve type.

In FIG. 11, vaporization substance flow through the core 1100 is represented at 1102, intake air flow through an inlet or intake is represented at 1104, and vapor flow to a mouthpiece is represented at 1106. Vaporization substance that penetrates the core 1100 is atomized by heating the core and is carried to a user in the vapor stream 1106. Vaporization substance that leaks through the core 1100 and into the channel between the perforated plates 1122, 1132 without being vaporized is contained in the part of the channel that is within the core in the example shown. The valve 1130 permits air flow into the channel through the core 1100 but blocks or at least restricts liquid from leaking out of the channel toward the air intake in the example shown. The valve 1120 similarly permits vapor flow out of the channel through the core 1100 but blocks or at least restricts liquid from leaking out of the channel toward the mouthpiece.

In the embodiment shown, the valves 1120, 1130 are of the type shown in FIG. 9. The valves 1120, 1130 are normally closed, each valve opens when pressure differential is sufficient to provide a minimum opening force, and each valve remains open as long as air/vapor flow is sufficient to overcome a closing force or bias that would otherwise return each valve to a closed position. The minimum opening force may be substantially the same or different for each valve 1120, 1130, and similarly the closing force or bias may be substantially the same or different for each valve 1120, 1130.

Features disclosed herein in the context of other embodiments may also or instead be implemented in multi-valve and/or multi-plate embodiments. For example, multi-valve and/or multi-plate embodiments may also include such features as any one or more of: one or more walled or lipped perforations in one or more perforated plates, a pooling area in or on one or more perforated plates, a liquid diversion feature in or on one or more perforated plates, a heating element to heat one or more perforated plates or one or more parts of a perforated plate, a heating element to heat one or more valves or one or more parts of a valve, perforations in adjacent perforated plates being misaligned between the adjacent perforated plates to provide a labyrinthine flow path, perforated plates with different numbers of perforations, and one or more valves with a perforated wall disposed to space a perforation in the perforated wall away from a liquid-contacting component of a vaporization apparatus.

Other features may be or become apparent to those skilled in the art.

The foregoing description relates primarily to apparatus embodiments. Other embodiments, including methods, are also contemplated.

FIG. 12, for example, is a flow diagram illustrating a method 1200 according to an embodiment. The example method 1200 involves an operation 1202 of providing a chamber to store a vaporization substance, an operation 1204 of providing an atomizer in fluid communication with the chamber to generate vapor from the vaporization substance, and an operation 1206 of providing a channel in fluid communication with the atomizer to carry the vapor away from the atomizer. Operations of providing a liquid flow control structure and connecting, coupling, and/or installing one or more components are also shown at 1208, 1210 solely for illustrative purposes.

The operations 1202, 1204, and 1206 are shown separately for illustrative purposes, but need not be separate operations in all embodiments. For example, a vaporization device or cartridge may include an atomizer, and may also be sold with a vaporization substance chamber and a channel. A vaporization device, or components thereof, could potentially be provided separately from a chamber, which could be purchased separately, for example. Some chambers could be provided with a vaporization device, while others could be sold separately.

A chamber, atomizer, and/or channel may be provided at 1202, 1204, 1206 by actually manufacturing these components. Any of these components, and/or other components, may instead be provided by purchasing or otherwise acquiring the components from one or more suppliers.

At least some components or parts thereof may be provided in different ways. Different cartridge parts, such as chambers, bases, caps, atomizers, and/or stems, for example, may be provided by manufacturing one or more parts and purchasing one or more other parts, or by purchasing different parts from different suppliers.

Similar comments regarding how these components may be provided also apply to other components as well.

In some embodiments, the atomizer that is provided at 1204 includes a ceramic core in fluid communication with the chamber, and the vaporization substance is prevented from leaking through the channel. Examples definitions of leakage and non-leakage are provided elsewhere herein.

Leakage prevention involves providing a liquid flow control structure in the channel in some embodiments, as shown at 1208, to prevent the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel by controlling flow of the vaporization substance within the channel. Providing a liquid flow control structure at 1208 may involve providing a liquid flow control structure that embodies one or more features as disclosed elsewhere herein. In general, features disclosed herein in the context of other embodiments may also or instead be implemented in methods.

In some embodiments, components such as the atomizer provided at 1204 and the channel provided at 1206, and possibly the chamber provided at 1202, are provided in the form of a pre-assembled vaporization device. In other embodiments, components are not necessarily assembled. FIG. 12 therefore also illustrates at 1210 operations that may be involved in assembling a device or apparatus, including connecting, coupling, and/or installing one or more components in the example shown. For example, arranging an atomizer in fluid communication with a chamber and/or a channel involves installing the atomizer, the channel, and/or the chamber in a vaporization device or cartridge in some embodiments. As another example, providing a liquid flow control structure in the channel may involve providing the liquid flow control structure at 1208 and installing the liquid flow control structure in the channel at 1210.

A liquid flow control structure is not provided in all embodiments. Consider, for example, an embodiment in which a property of the vaporization substance, such as viscosity of the vaporization substance, prevents the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel. In such an embodiment, a method may include providing the vaporization substance in the chamber in order to prevent leakage. Providing the vaporization substance in the chamber involves, in some embodiments, providing the vaporization substance and adding the vaporization substance into the chamber.

In some embodiments a property of the ceramic core prevents the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel. and providing an atomizer at 1204 involves providing an atomizer that includes a ceramic core having the property. Examples of a ceramic core property that may be useful in preventing leakage include: one or more materials of the ceramic core, porosity of the ceramic core, and density of the ceramic core.

More generally, one or more of: a property of the ceramic core and a property of the vaporization substance may contribute to preventing the vaporization substance from leaking through the channel.

In another example of a method that is consistent with FIG. 12, an atomizer to generate vapor from a vaporization substance is provided at 1204, a channel in fluid communication with the atomizer is provided at 1206 to carry the vapor away from the atomizer, and a liquid flow control structure is provided in the channel at 1208 to control flow of liquid within the channel. Providing a liquid flow control structure may involve providing a liquid flow control structure that includes one or more features disclosed elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the liquid flow control structure is provided at 1208 and installed at 1210. A liquid flow control structure may be provided as an add-on or retrofit component or set of components for installation into a vaporization device or apparatus.

A kit, for example, may include one or more parts of a liquid flow control structure for installation in a channel of a vaporization apparatus, to prevent leakage of liquid through the channel. A liquid flow control structure in the form of a kit of one or more parts may include any one or more of the liquid flow control structure features disclosed elsewhere herein. For example, a kit may include one or more perforated plates, with one or more valves in some embodiments, for installation in a vaporization device.

A liquid flow control structure kit, such as an add-on, optional, after-market, and/or retrofit kit, may perhaps bet be illustrated with an example. FIG. 13 is a plan view of another example vaporization device, and FIG. 14 is a plan and partially exploded view of the vaporization device of FIG. 13. The example vaporization device 1300 includes a cap 1302, a chamber 1304, a base 1306, a battery compartment 1308, a stem 1310, an atomizer 1312, and an intake hole 1314. These components could be similar to components that are described in detail elsewhere herein. In FIGS. 13 and 14, 1322 represents a liquid flow control structure.

In an embodiment, the liquid flow control structure 1322 provides a coupling or engagement structure, at its lower end in the view shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, that is compatible with the chamber 1304 and the stem 1310, and also provides at its upper end in the view shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 a coupling or engagement structure that is compatible with the cap 1302. The liquid flow control structure 1322 can then be installed between the chamber 1304 and the cap 1302 by coupling the liquid flow control structure 1322 to the chamber 1304 in the same way that the cap 1302 would normally be coupled to the chamber, and coupling the cap to the liquid flow control structure in the same way that the cap would normally be coupled to the chamber.

The liquid flow control structure 1322 may include, for example, a central tube or pipe to provide part of the channel through the vaporization device 1300, and one or more components such as one or more perforated plates in the central tube or pipe. Installing the liquid flow control structure 1322 in the vaporization device 1300 thereby installs the liquid control component(s) into the channel to control flow of liquid within the channel.

Perforated plates are one example of the component(s) that may be provided in a liquid flow control structure 1322. In general, one or more components providing any one or more features of a liquid flow control structure as disclosed elsewhere herein are provided in embodiments. To the extent that the liquid flow control structure 1322 includes any powered components for which power is not provided separately at 1322, power can be supplied from the base 1306, through an electrical connection 1334 for example. Control for one or more components of the liquid flow control structure 1322 may also or instead be provided by the base 1306 through the electrical connection 1334. Other powering and/or control connections or arrangements are also possible.

The liquid flow control structure 1322 is one example of a part that may be provided for installation in a vaporization device or other vaporization apparatus. A kit or parts may take other forms as well. For example, in another embodiment a kit includes a perforated plate for installation into a channel. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, a kit may include a perforated plate that is intended to be installed by being pushed into the stem 110, either through the hole 150 in the cap 102 or with the cap removed to expose an end of the stem.

A kit also includes a tool in some embodiments, for use in installing the one or more parts. In the above example of a kit including a perforated plate for installation in to the stem 110, the tool may be in the form of a cylindrical shaft or tube sized to fit inside the stem 110, to enable a user to push the perforated plate into position in the stem 110. Markings are provided on the tool in some embodiments, so that the user has an indication as to when the perforated plate is positioned properly. For example, for an arrangement as show in FIG. 11, respective markings may be provided on the tool to indicate respective insertion depths for the perforated plates that include the valves 1120, 1130. A user may then push a perforated plate into position by aligning a marking with an end of the stem 110 and/or an end of the cap 102. Although markings on the tool indicate correct insertion depth(s) in this example, in other embodiments markings may also or instead include measurement markings, and a user determines the correct insertion depth(s) and uses the measurement markings during installation.

Part installation need not necessarily be guided by measurements and/or markings on an installation tool. Tool length, for example, may correspond to insertion depth for a perforated plate, in which case a user fully inserts the tool into a channel to install a perforated plate to a correct depth, and then inverts the channel to remove the tool. A set of tools corresponding to different depths for different plates are provided in some embodiments.

A sleeve that is intended to be inserted and remain in a channel is another option. The sleeve may have one or more perforated plates pre-installed therein, and the entire sleeve may then be slid into the channel. An installation tool may be used in conjunction with such a sleeve, or a sleeve may be sized so that full insertion into a channel positions the one or more perforated plates at proper locations in the channel.

Proper placement or installation may involve other features in some embodiments. A perforated plate or a part thereof, for example, could be slightly larger in size than a channel and be reversibly deformable so that the perforated plate is insertable into the channel and the deformed plate or part snaps into or otherwise engages a structure in the channel when the perforated plate is properly positioned in the channel. In a multi-plate embodiment, multiple plate positioning structures may be provided, in which case perforated plates are inserted through successively fewer “clicks” during installation.

Installation instructions for installation of the one or more parts of a liquid flow control structure in a channel are also or instead be provided in a kit in some embodiments. Such instructions may indicate, for example, any one or more of: how each part is to be installed, parameters such as insertion depth(s) in the above example of one or more perforated plates for insertion into a channel, how any installation tool(s) should be used, etc.

Method embodiments related to kits or parts are also contemplated. FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 1500 according to another embodiment. The example method 1500, like the example method 1200 in FIG. 12, includes several operations that involve providing various components. Options for such providing, as outlined elsewhere herein, also apply to these providing operations.

As shown, the example method 1500 involves an operation 1502 of providing one or more parts of a liquid flow control structure. The liquid flow control structure is for installation in a channel of a vaporization apparatus, to prevent leakage of liquid through the channel, and may include any one or more of the liquid flow control structure features that are disclose elsewhere herein.

The example method 1500 also represents installing the one or more parts of the liquid flow control structure in the channel at 1508. As shown, installing may involve such operations as connecting, coupling, and/or otherwise installing the part(s) in a channel.

In some embodiments, a method also involves providing an installation tool at 1504, for use in installation of the one or more parts of the liquid flow control structure in the channel. In such embodiments, the installing at 1508 involves installing the part(s) of the liquid flow control structure in the channel using the installation tool.

Embodiments may also or instead include providing installation instructions at 1506, for installation of the one or more parts of the liquid flow control structure in the channel. The installing at 1508 then involves installing the part(s) of the liquid flow control structure in the channel using the installation instructions.

The methods 1200, 1500 are illustrative and non-limiting examples. Various ways to perform the illustrated operations, additional operations that may be performed in some embodiments, or operations that may be omitted in some embodiments, may be inferred or apparent from the description and drawings or otherwise be or become apparent. Other variations of methods associated with manufacturing or otherwise producing a chamber, a cartridge, and/or a vaporization device or apparatus may be or become apparent.

It should also be appreciated that all of the drawings and the description herein are intended solely for illustrative purposes, and that the present invention is in no way limited to the particular example embodiments explicitly shown in the drawings and described herein.

What has been described is merely illustrative of the application of principles of embodiments of the present disclosure. Other arrangements and methods can be implemented by those skilled in the art.

For example, features are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Features may be implemented independently, or in any of various combinations.

Other embodiments may also or instead implement any of various features in ways other than those explicitly shown in the drawings or described herein. As an example, several embodiments of valves are illustrated and described, and other valve types may be implemented in other embodiments that remain within the scope of the present disclosure and claims.

Features disclosed herein may be implemented in any of various combinations. Embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive. This may also extend to other features as well. For example, the present disclosure focuses primarily on managing liquid in the channel of a vaporization device. A vaporization device may also include features that may be effective to reduce the amount of liquid that collects in the channel. Illustrative examples of such features are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/896,666, filed on filed on Sep. 6, 2019 and incorporated by reference herein.

While the present invention has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the invention. The description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded simply as an illustration of some embodiments of the invention as defined by the appended claims, and are contemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention and potential advantages have been described in detail, various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of any process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

1. A vaporization apparatus comprising:

an atomizer to generate vapor from a vaporization substance;

a channel, in fluid communication with the atomizer, to carry the vapor away from the atomizer;

a liquid flow control structure in the channel, to control flow of liquid within the channel.

2. The vaporization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid flow control structure comprises a perforated plate across the channel, and further wherein:

the liquid flow control structure further comprises a wall extending from the perforated plate to block the liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering a perforation in the perforated plate; or

the perforated plate comprises a pooling area, displaced from a perforation in the perforated plate, to provide for pooling of the liquid; or

the perforated plate comprises a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from a perforation in the perforated plate.

3-4. (canceled)

5. The vaporization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the perforated plate comprises a heating element.

6-10. (canceled)

11. The vaporization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid flow control structure comprises a plurality of perforated plates across the channel, with perforations in adjacent perforated plates being misaligned between the adjacent perforated plates.

12. (canceled)

13. The vaporization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid flow control structure comprises:

a perforated plate across the channel;

a valve positioned to permit air flow through a perforation in the perforated plate in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid through the perforation in the perforated plate; and

a wall to block the liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering the perforation in the perforated plate.

14. The vaporization apparatus of claim 13, wherein:

the wall comprises a wall extending from the perforated plate; or

the wall comprises a wall of the valve.

15. (canceled)

16. The vaporization apparatus of claim 13, wherein the perforated plate comprises:

a pooling area, displaced from the perforation in the perforated plate, to provide for pooling of the liquid; or

a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from the perforation in the perforated plate; or

a heating element.

17-18. (canceled)

19. The vaporization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid flow control structure comprises a valve to permit air flow in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid, wherein the vaporization apparatus further comprises:

a heating element to heat the valve or one or more parts of the valve.

20. (canceled)

21. The vaporization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid flow control structure comprises a valve to permit air flow in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid, wherein the valve comprises a perforated wall to permit air flow through the valve, the perforated wall being disposed in the valve to space a perforation in the perforated wall away from a liquid-contacting component of the vaporization apparatus.

22-54. (canceled)

55. A method comprising:

providing an atomizer to generate vapor from a vaporization substance;

providing a channel in fluid communication with the atomizer, to carry the vapor away from the atomizer;

providing a liquid flow control structure in the channel, to control flow of liquid within the channel.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein providing a liquid flow control structure in the channel comprises:

providing the liquid flow control structure;

installing the liquid flow control structure in the channel.

57. (canceled)

58. A method comprising:

providing one or more parts of a liquid flow control structure for installation in a channel of a vaporization apparatus, to prevent leakage of liquid through the channel.

59-63. (canceled)

64. The method of claim 58, wherein the liquid flow control structure comprises a perforated plate across the channel, and further wherein:

the liquid flow control structure further comprises a wall extending from the perforated plate to block the liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering a perforation in the perforated plate; or

the perforated plate comprises a pooling area, displaced from a perforation in the perforated plate, to provide for pooling of the liquid; or

the perforated plate comprises a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from a perforation in the perforated plate.

65-66. (canceled)

67. The method of claim 58, wherein the perforated plate comprises a heating element.

68-72. (canceled)

73. The method of claim 58, wherein the liquid flow control structure comprises a plurality of perforated plates across the channel, with perforations in adjacent perforated plates being misaligned between the adjacent perforated plates.

74. (canceled)

75. The method of claim 58, wherein the liquid flow control structure comprises:

a perforated plate across the channel;

a valve positioned to permit air flow through a perforation in the perforated plate in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid through the perforation in the perforated plate; and

a wall to block the liquid at a level below a height of the wall from entering the perforation in the perforated plate.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the wall comprises a wall extending from the perforated plate; and

wherein the wall comprises a wall of the valve.

77. (canceled)

78. The method of claim 75, wherein the perforated plate comprises:

a pooling area, displaced from the perforation in the perforated plate, to provide for pooling of the liquid; or

a liquid diversion feature to divert the liquid from the perforation in the perforated plate; or

a heating element.

79-80. (canceled)

81. The method of claim 58, wherein the liquid flow control structure comprises a valve to permit air flow in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid, wherein the valve comprises a heating element to heat the valve or one or more parts of the valve.

82. The method of claim 58, wherein the liquid flow control structure comprises a valve to permit air flow in a direction to carry the vapor away from the atomizer and to restrict flow of the liquid, wherein the valve comprises a perforated wall to permit air flow through the valve, the perforated wall being disposed in the valve to space a perforation in the perforated wall away from a liquid-contacting component of the vaporization apparatus.

83-87. (canceled)