Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CARTRIDGES FOR VAPORIZER DEVICES
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
62/745,745 filed on October 15, 2018, and entitled "Cartridges For Vaporizer
Devices," the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, to
the extent permitted.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The subject matter described herein relates to vaporizer devices,
including
vaporizer cartridges.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Vaporizer devices, which can also be referred to as vaporizers,
electronic
vaporizer devices, or e-vaporizer devices, can be used for delivery of an
aerosol (for example,
a vapor-phase and/or condensed-phase material suspended in a stationary or
moving mass of
air or some other gas carrier) containing one or more active ingredients by
inhalation of the
aerosol by a user of the vaporizing device. For example, electronic nicotine
delivery systems
(ENDS) include a class of vaporizer devices that are battery powered and that
can be used to
simulate the experience of smoking, but without burning of tobacco or other
substances.
Vaporizer devices are gaining increasing popularity both for prescriptive
medical use, in
delivering medicaments, and for consumption of tobacco, nicotine, and other
plant-based
materials. Vaporizer devices can be portable, self-contained, and/or
convenient for use.
[0004] In use of a vaporizer device, the user inhales an aerosol,
colloquially referred to as
"vapor," which can be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g.,
causes a liquid or
solid to at least partially transition to the gas phase) a vaporizable
material, which can be
liquid, a solution, a solid, a paste, a wax, and/or any other form compatible
for use with a
specific vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer
device can be
provided within a cartridge for example, a separable part of the vaporizer
device that contains
vaporizable material) that includes an outlet (for example, a mouthpiece) for
inhalation of the
aerosol by a user.
[0005] To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by a vaporizer device, a
user may, in
certain examples, activate the vaporizer device by taking a puff, by pressing
a button, and/or
by some other approach. A puff as used herein can refer to inhalation by the
user in a manner
that causes a volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that
the inhalable
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aerosol is generated by a combination of the vaporized vaporizable material
with the volume
of air.
[0006] An approach by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable
aerosol from a
vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material in a
vaporization chamber
(e.g., a heater chamber) to cause the vaporizable material to be converted to
the gas (or
vapor) phase. A vaporization chamber can refer to an area or volume in the
vaporizer device
within which a heat source (for example, a conductive, convective, and/or
radiative heat
source) causes heating of a vaporizable material to produce a mixture of air
and vaporized
material to form a vapor for inhalation of the vaporizable material by a user
of the
vaporization device.
[0007] Vaporizer devices can be controlled by one or more controllers,
electronic circuits
(for example, sensors, heating elements), and/or the like on the vaporizer
device. Vaporizer
devices can also wirelessly communicate with an external controller for
example, a
computing device such as a smartphone).
[0008] In some implementations, the vaporizable material can be drawn out
of a reservoir
and into the vaporization chamber via a wicking element (e.g., a wick).
Drawing of the
vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber can be at least partially
due to capillary
action provided by the wick as the wick pulls the vaporizable material along
the wick in the
direction of the vaporization chamber. However, as vaporizable material is
drawn out of the
reservoir, the pressure inside the reservoir is reduced, thereby creating a
vacuum and acting
against the capillary action. This can reduce the effectiveness of the wick to
draw the
vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber, thereby reducing the
effectiveness of the
vaporization device to vaporize a desired amount of vaporizable material, such
as when a
user takes a puff on the vaporizer device. Furthermore, the vacuum created in
the reservoir
can ultimately result in the inability to draw all of the vaporizable material
into the
vaporization chamber, thereby wasting vaporizable material. As such, improved
vaporization
devices and/or vaporization cartridges that improve upon or overcome these
issues is desired.
SUMMARY
[0009] In certain aspects of the current subject matter, challenges
associated with the
creation of headspace within the reservoir can be addressed by inclusion of
one or more of
the features described herein or comparable/equivalent approaches as would be
understood
by one of ordinary skill in the art. Aspects of the current subject matter
relate to vaporizer
devices and to cartridges for use in a vaporizer device.
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[0010] In some variations, one or more of the following features may
optionally be
included in any feasible combination.
[0011] In one exemplary embodiment, a cartridge for a vaporizer device is
provided and
includes a reservoir housing having at least one inner container that is
configured to hold a
vaporizable material, and a vaporization chamber in communication with the
reservoir
housing. The vaporization chamber includes at least one wicking element that
is configured
to draw the vaporizable material from the at least one inner container to the
vaporization
chamber to be vaporized by a heating element; in which the at least one inner
container is
substantially sealed to the at least one wicking element, and the at least one
inner container is
configured to collapse as the vaporizable material is withdrawn therefrom.
[0012] In some embodiments, the collapsing of the at least one inner
container can
substantially prevent a headspace vacuum from forming as the vaporizable
material is being
withdrawn from the at least one inner container.
[0013] In some embodiments, the cartridge can include at least one vent
extending
through a wall of the reservoir housing, the at least one vent allowing
ambient air to pass
therethrough and into the reservoir housing such that a pressure equilibrium
can be
substantially maintained within the reservoir housing as the vaporizable
material is being
withdrawn from the at least one inner container.
[0014] The vaporization chamber can have a variety of configurations. For
example, in
some embodiments, the vaporization chamber can be defined by at least one
sidewall of the
reservoir housing. In other embodiments, the vaporization chamber can be
defined by at least
one wall that is coated with or formed of a hydrophobic material. In yet other
embodiments,
the vaporization chamber can be defined by at least one wall that can be
configured to allow
at least a portion of airflow to pass therethrough and into the vaporization
chamber.
[0015] The wicking element can have a variety of configurations. For
example, in some
embodiments, the wicking element can be formed of one or more porous
materials.
[0016] The reservoir housing can have a variety of configurations. In some
embodiments, the reservoir housing can include a first reservoir chamber and a
second
reservoir chamber, in which each chamber can have at least one of the at least
one inner
container disposed therein. In such embodiments, the vaporization chamber can
be
positioned between the first reservoir chamber and the second reservoir
chamber.
[0017] In another exemplary embodiment, a vaporizer device is provided and
include a
vaporizer body and a cartridge that is selectively coupled to and removable
from the
vaporizer body. The cartridge includes a reservoir housing having at least one
inner
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container that is configured to hold a vaporizable material, and a
vaporization chamber in
communication with the reservoir housing. The vaporization chamber includes at
least one
wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the at least
one inner
container to the vaporization chamber to be vaporized by a heating element, in
which the at
least one inner container is substantially sealed to the at least one wicking
element, and the at
least one inner container is configured to collapse as the vaporizable
material is withdrawn
therefrom.
[0018] The vaporizer body can have a variety of configurations. For
example, in some
embodiments, the vaporizer body can include a power source.
[0019] In some embodiments, the collapsing of the at least one inner
container can
substantially prevent a headspace vacuum from forming as the vaporizable
material is being
withdrawn from the at least one inner container.
[0020] In some embodiments, the cartridge can include at least one vent
extending
through a wall of the reservoir housing, the at least one vent allowing
ambient air to pass
therethrough and into the reservoir housing such that a pressure equilibrium
can be
substantially maintained within the reservoir housing as the vaporizable
material is being
withdrawn from the at least one inner container.
[0021] The vaporization chamber can have a variety of configurations. For
example, in
some embodiments, the vaporization chamber can be defined by at least one
sidewall of the
reservoir housing. In other embodiments, the vaporization chamber can be
defined by at least
one wall that is coated with or formed of a hydrophobic material. In yet other
embodiments,
the vaporization chamber can be defined by at least one wall that can be
configured to allow
at least a portion of airflow to pass therethrough and into the vaporization
chamber.
[0022] The wicking element can have a variety of configurations. For
example, in some
embodiments, the wicking element can be formed of one or more porous
materials.
[0023] The reservoir housing can have a variety of configurations. In some
embodiments, the reservoir housing can include a first reservoir chamber and a
second
reservoir chamber, each of which having at least one inner container disposed
therein. In
such embodiments, the vaporization chamber can be positioned between the first
reservoir
chamber and second reservoir chamber.
[0024] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter
described herein are set
forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
and
advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the
description and
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drawings, and from the claims. The claims that follow this disclosure are
intended to define
the scope of the protected subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
constitute a part of
this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed
herein and, together
with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the
disclosed
implementations. In the drawings:
[0026] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a vaporizer device;
[0027] FIG. 1B is a top view of an embodiment of a vaporizer device,
showing a
vaporizer cartridge separated from a vaporizer device body;
[0028] FIG. 1C is a top view of the vaporizer device of FIG. 1B, showing
the vaporizer
cartridge coupled to the vaporizer device body;
[0029] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the vaporizer device of FIG. 1C;
[0030] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of the vaporizer cartridge of FIG. 1B;
[0031] FIG. 1F is another perspective view of the vaporizer cartridge of
FIG. 1E;
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of another embodiment of a vaporizer
cartridge; and
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of another embodiment of a vaporizer
cartridge.
[0034] When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures,
features, or
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Implementations of the current subject matter include methods,
apparatuses,
articles of manufacture, and systems relating to vaporization of one or more
materials for
inhalation by a user. Example implementations include vaporizer devices and
systems
including vaporizer devices. The term "vaporizer device" as used in the
following
description and claims refers to any of a self-contained apparatus, an
apparatus that includes
two or more separable parts (for example, a vaporizer body that includes a
battery and other
hardware, and a cartridge that includes a vaporizable material), and/or the
like. A "vaporizer
system," as used herein, can include one or more components, such as a
vaporizer device.
Examples of vaporizer devices consistent with implementations of the current
subject matter
include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS),
and/or the like.
In general, such vaporizer devices are hand-held devices that heat (such as by
convection,
conduction, radiation, and/or some combination thereof) a vaporizable material
to provide an
inhalable dose of the material.
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[0036] The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device can be
provided within a
cartridge (for example, a part of the vaporizer device that contains the
vaporizable material in
a reservoir or other container) which can be refillable when empty, or
disposable such that a
new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of a same or
different type can be
used). A vaporizer device can be a cartridge-using vaporizer device, a
cartridge-less
vaporizer device, or a multi-use vaporizer device capable of use with or
without a cartridge.
For example, a vaporizer device can include a heating chamber (for example, an
oven or
other region in which material is heated by a heating element) configured to
receive a
vaporizable material directly into the heating chamber, and/or a reservoir or
the like for
containing the vaporizable material.
[0037] In some implementations, a vaporizer device can be configured for
use with a
liquid vaporizable material (for example, a carrier solution in which an
active and/or inactive
ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution, or a liquid form of the
vaporizable material
itself). The liquid vaporizable material can be capable of being completely
vaporized.
Alternatively, at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material can
remain after all of the
material suitable for inhalation has been vaporized.
[0038] Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 1A, a vaporizer device 100
can include a
power source 112 (for example, a battery, which can be a rechargeable
battery), and a
controller 104 (for example, a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing
logic) for
controlling delivery of heat to an atomizer 141 to cause a vaporizable
material 102 to be
converted from a condensed form (such as a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a
part of an at
least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to the gas phase. The
controller 104 can be
part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain
implementations of
the current subject matter.
[0039] After conversion of the vaporizable material 102 to the gas phase,
at least some of
the vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase can condense to form particulate
matter in at
least a partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of an aerosol,
which can form some
or all of an inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer device 100 during a
user's puff or draw
on the vaporizer device 100. It should be appreciated that the interplay
between gas and
condensed phases in an aerosol generated by a vaporizer device 100 can be
complex and
dynamic, due to factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity,
chemistry, flow
conditions in airflow paths (both inside the vaporizer device and in the
airways of a human or
other animal), and/or mixing of the vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase
or in the aerosol
phase with other air streams, which can affect one or more physical parameters
of an aerosol.
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In some vaporizer devices, and particularly for vaporizer devices configured
for delivery of
volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose can exist predominantly in
the gas phase
(for example, formation of condensed phase particles can be very limited).
[0040] The atomizer 141 in the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to
vaporize a
vaporizable material 102. The vaporizable material 102 can be a liquid.
Examples of the
vaporizable material 102 include neat liquids, suspensions, solutions,
mixtures, and/or the
like. The atomizer 141 can include a wicking element (i.e., a wick) configured
to convey an
amount of the vaporizable material 102 to a part of the atomizer 141 that
includes a heating
element (not shown in FIG. 1A).
[0041] For example, the wicking element can be configured to draw the
vaporizable
material 102 from a reservoir 140 configured to contain the vaporizable
material 102, such
that the vaporizable material 102 can be vaporized by heat delivered from a
heating element.
The wicking element can also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir 140
and replace the
volume of vaporizable material 102 removed. In some implementations of the
current subject
matter, capillary action can pull vaporizable material 102 into the wick for
vaporization by
the heating element, and air can return to the reservoir 140 through the wick
to at least
partially equalize pressure in the reservoir 140. Other methods of allowing
air back into the
reservoir 140 to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the current
subject matter.
[0042] As used herein, the terms "wick" or "wicking element" include any
material
capable of causing fluid motion via capillary pressure.
[0043] The heating element can include one or more of a conductive heater,
a radiative
heater, and/or a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive
heating element,
which can include a material (such as a metal or alloy, for example a nickel-
chromium alloy,
or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical power in the
form of heat when
electrical current is passed through one or more resistive segments of the
heating element. In
some implementations of the current subject matter, the atomizer 141 can
include a heating
element which includes a resistive coil or other heating element wrapped
around, positioned
within, integrated into a bulk shape of, pressed into thermal contact with, or
otherwise
arranged to deliver heat to a wicking element, to cause the vaporizable
material 102 drawn
from the reservoir 140 by the wicking element to be vaporized for subsequent
inhalation by a
user in a gas and/or a condensed (for example, aerosol particles or droplets)
phase. Other
wicking elements, heating elements, and/or atomizer assembly configurations
are also
possible.
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[0044] Certain vaporizer devices may, additionally or alternatively, be
configured to
create an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase
and/or aerosol phase
via heating of the vaporizable material 102. The vaporizable material 102 can
be a solid-
phase material (such as a wax or the like) or plant material (for example,
tobacco leaves
and/or parts of tobacco leaves). In such vaporizer devices, a resistive
heating element can be
part of, or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with, the walls
of an oven or
other heating chamber into which the vaporizable material 102 is placed.
Alternatively, a
resistive heating element or elements can be used to heat air passing through
or past the
vaporizable material 102, to cause convective heating of the vaporizable
material 102. In still
other examples, a resistive heating element or elements can be disposed in
intimate contact
with plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material
occurs from
within a mass of the plant material, as opposed to only by conduction inward
from walls of an
oven.
[0045] The heating element can be activated in association with a user
puffing (i.e.,
drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer device 100 to
cause air to flow
from an air inlet, along an airflow path that passes the atomizer 141 (i.e.,
wicking element
and heating element). Optionally, air can flow from an air inlet through one
or more
condensation areas or chambers, to an air outlet in the mouthpiece 130.
Incoming air moving
along the airflow path moves over or through the atomizer 141, where
vaporizable material
102 in the gas phase is entrained into the air. The heating element can be
activated via the
controller 104, which can optionally be a part of a vaporizer body 110 as
discussed herein,
causing current to pass from the power source 112 through a circuit including
the resistive
heating element, which is optionally part of a vaporizer cartridge 120 as
discussed herein. As
noted herein, the entrained vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase can
condense as it
passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose
of the
vaporizable material 102 in an aerosol form can be delivered from the air
outlet (for example,
the mouthpiece 130) for inhalation by a user.
[0046] Activation of the heating element can be caused by automatic
detection of a puff
based on one or more signals generated by one or more of a sensor 113. The
sensor 113 and
the signals generated by the sensor 113 can include one or more of: a pressure
sensor or
sensors disposed to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient
pressure (or
optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), a motion sensor or
sensors (for example,
an accelerometer) of the vaporizer device 100, a flow sensor or sensors of the
vaporizer
device 100, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer device 100, detection of
interaction of a
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user with the vaporizer device 100 via one or more input devices 116 (for
example, buttons or
other tactile control devices of the vaporizer device 100), receipt of signals
from a computing
device in communication with the vaporizer device 100, and/or via other
approaches for
determining that a puff is occurring or imminent.
[0047] As discussed herein, the vaporizer device 100 consistent with
implementations of
the current subject matter can be configured to connect (such as, for example,
wirelessly or
via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more
devices) in
communication with the vaporizer device 100. To this end, the controller 104
can include
communication hardware 105. The controller 104 can also include a memory 108.
The
communication hardware 105 can include firmware and/or can be controlled by
software for
executing one or more cryptographic protocols for the communication.
[0048] A computing device can be a component of a vaporizer system that
also includes
the vaporizer device 100, and can include its own hardware for communication,
which can
establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 105
of the
vaporizer device 100. For example, a computing device used as part of a
vaporizer system
can include a general-purpose computing device (such as a smartphone, a
tablet, a personal
computer, some other portable device such as a smartwatch, or the like) that
executes
software to produce a user interface for enabling a user to interact with the
vaporizer device
100. In other implementations of the current subject matter, such a device
used as part of a
vaporizer system can be a dedicated piece of hardware such as a remote control
or other
wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft (i.e.,
configurable on a screen or
other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-
sensitive screen or some
other input device like a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, or the
like) interface
controls. The vaporizer device 100 can also include one or more outputs 117 or
devices for
providing information to the user. For example, the outputs 117 can include
one or more
light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to a user based on
a status
and/or mode of operation of the vaporizer device 100.
[0049] In the example in which a computing device provides signals related
to activation
of the resistive heating element, or in other examples of coupling of a
computing device with
the vaporizer device 100 for implementation of various control or other
functions, the
computing device executes one or more computer instruction sets to provide a
user interface
and underlying data handling. In one example, detection by the computing
device of user
interaction with one or more user interface elements can cause the computing
device to signal
the vaporizer device 100 to activate the heating element to reach an operating
temperature for
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creation of an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions of the
vaporizer device 100
can be controlled by interaction of a user with a user interface on a
computing device in
communication with the vaporizer device 100.
[0050] The temperature of a resistive heating element of the vaporizer
device 100 can
depend on a number of factors, including an amount of electrical power
delivered to the
resistive heating element and/or a duty cycle at which the electrical power is
delivered,
conductive heat transfer to other parts of the electronic vaporizer device 100
and/or to the
environment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of the vaporizable
material 102 from the
wicking element and/or the atomizer 141 as a whole, and convective heat losses
due to
airflow (i.e., air moving across the heating element or the atomizer 141 as a
whole when a
user inhales on the vaporizer device 100). As noted herein, to reliably
activate the heating
element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, the vaporizer
device 100 may,
in some implementations of the current subject matter, make use of signals
from the sensor
113 (for example, a pressure sensor) to determine when a user is inhaling. The
sensor 113
can be positioned in the airflow path and/or can be connected (for example, by
a passageway
or other path) to an airflow path containing an inlet for air to enter the
vaporizer device 100
and an outlet via which the user inhales the resulting vapor and/or aerosol
such that the sensor
113 experiences changes (for example, pressure changes) concurrently with air
passing
through the vaporizer device 100 from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some
implementations
of the current subject matter, the heating element can be activated in
association with a user's
puff, for example by automatic detection of the puff, or by the sensor 113
detecting a change
(.such as a pressure change) in the airflow path.
[0051] The sensor 113 can be positioned on or coupled to (i.e.,
electrically or
electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) the
controller 104
(for example, a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit
board). To take
measurements accurately and maintain durability of the vaporizer device 100,
it can be
beneficial to provide a seal 127 resilient enough to separate an airflow path
from other parts
of the vaporizer device 100. The seal 127, which can be a gasket, can be
configured to at
least partially surround the sensor 113 such that connections of the sensor
113 to the internal
circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 are separated from a part of the sensor
113 exposed to
the airflow path. In an example of a cartridge-based vaporizer device, the
seal 127 can also
separate parts of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer
body 110 and the
vaporizer cartridge 120. Such arrangements of the seal 127 in the vaporizer
device 100 can
be helpful in mitigating against potentially disruptive impacts on vaporizer
components
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resulting from interactions with environmental factors such as water in the
vapor or liquid
phases, other fluids such as the vaporizable material 102, etc., and/or to
reduce the escape of
air from the designated airflow path in the vaporizer device 100. Unwanted
air, liquid or
other fluid passing and/or contacting circuitry of the vaporizer device 100
can cause various
unwanted effects, such as altered pressure readings, and/or can result in the
buildup of
unwanted material, such as moisture, excess vaporizable material 102, etc., in
parts of the
vaporizer device 100 where they can result in poor pressure signal,
degradation of the sensor
113 or other components, and/or a shorter life of the vaporizer device 100.
Leaks in the seal
127 can also result in a user inhaling air that has passed over parts of the
vaporizer device 100
containing, or constructed of, materials that may not be desirable to be
inhaled.
[0052] In some implementations, the vaporizer body 110 includes the
controller 104, the
power source 112 (for example, a battery), one more of the sensor 113,
charging contacts
(such as those for charging the power source 112), the seal 127, and a
cartridge receptacle
118 configured to receive the vaporizer cartridge 120 for coupling with the
vaporizer body
110 through one or more of a variety of attachment structures. In some
examples, the
vaporizer cartridge 120 includes the reservoir 140 for containing the
vaporizable material
102, and the mouthpiece 130 has an aerosol outlet for delivering an inhalable
dose to a user.
The vaporizer cartridge 120 can include the atomizer 141 having a wicking
element and a
heating element. Alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the
heating element
can be part of the vaporizer body 110. In implementations in which any part of
the atomizer
141 (i.e., heating element and/or wicking element) is part of the vaporizer
body 110, the
vaporizer device 100 can be configured to supply vaporizable material 102 from
the reservoir
140 in the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the part(s) of the atomizer 141 included
in the vaporizer
body 110.
[0053] In an embodiment of the vaporizer device 100 in which the power
source 112 is
part of the vaporizer body 110, and a heating element is disposed in the
vaporizer cartridge
120 and configured to couple with the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer device
100 can
include electrical connection features (for example, means for completing a
circuit) for
completing a circuit that includes the controller 104 (for example, a printed
circuit board, a
microcontroller, or the like), the power source 112, and the heating element
(for example, a
heating element within the atomizer 141). These features can include one or
more contacts
(referred to herein as cartridge contacts 124a and 124b) on a bottom surface
of the vaporizer
cartridge 120 and at least two contacts (referred to herein as receptacle
contacts 125a and
125b) disposed near a base of the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer
device 100 such
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that the cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the receptacle contacts 125a and
125b make
electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into and
coupled with the
cartridge receptacle 118. The circuit completed by these electrical
connections can allow
delivery of electrical current to a heating element and can further be used
for additional
functions, such as measuring a resistance of the heating element for use in
determining and/or
controlling a temperature of the heating element based on a thermal
coefficient of resistivity
of the heating element.
[0054] In some implementations of the current subject matter, the cartridge
contacts 124a
and 124b and the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b can be configured to
electrically connect
in either of at least two orientations. In other words, one or more circuits
necessary for
operation of the vaporizer device 100 can be completed by insertion of the
vaporizer cartridge
120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a first rotational orientation
(around an axis along
which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle
118 of the vaporizer
body 110) such that the cartridge contact 124a is electrically connected to
the receptacle
contact 125a and the cartridge contact 124b is electrically connected to the
receptacle contact
125b. Furthermore, the one or more circuits necessary for operation of the
vaporizer device
100 can be completed by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 in the
cartridge receptacle
118 in a second rotational orientation such cartridge contact 124a is
electrically connected to
the receptacle contact 125b and cartridge contact 124b is electrically
connected to the
receptacle contact 125a.
[0055] For example, the vaporizer cartridge 120 or at least the insertable
end 122 of the
vaporizer cartridge 120 can be symmetrical upon a rotation of 180 around an
axis along
which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle
118. In such a
configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 can support identical
operation
regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge 120
occurs.
[0056] In one example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizer
cartridge 120
to the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer body 110 includes one or more detents
(for example,
dimples, protrusions, etc.) protruding inwardly from an inner surface of the
cartridge
receptacle 118, additional material (such as metal, plastic, etc.) formed to
include a portion
protruding into the cartridge receptacle 118, and/or the like. One or more
exterior surfaces of
the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include corresponding recesses (not shown in
FIG. 1A) that
can fit and/or otherwise snap over such detents or protruding portions when
the vaporizer
cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer
body 110. When
the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 are coupled (e.g., by
insertion of the
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vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer
body 110), the
detents or protrusions of the vaporizer body 110 can fit within and/or
otherwise be held
within the recesses of the vaporizer cartridge 120, to hold the vaporizer
cartridge 120 in place
when assembled. Such an assembly can provide enough support to hold the
vaporizer
cartridge 120 in place to ensure good contact between the cartridge contacts
124a and 124b
and the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b, while allowing release of the
vaporizer cartridge
120 from the vaporizer body 110 when a user pulls with reasonable force on the
vaporizer
cartridge 120 to disengage the vaporizer cartridge 120 from the cartridge
receptacle 118.
[0057] In some implementations, the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least an
insertable end
122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 configured for insertion in the cartridge
receptacle 118,
can have a non-circular cross section transverse to the axis along which the
vaporizer
cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. For example, the
non-circular
cross section can be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical
(i.e., have an
approximately oval shape), non-rectangular but with two sets of parallel or
approximately
parallel opposing sides (i.e., having a parallelogram-like shape), or other
shapes having
rotational symmetry of at least order two. In this context, approximate shape
indicates that a
basic likeness to the described shape is apparent, but that sides of the shape
in question need
not be completely linear and vertices need not be completely sharp. Rounding
of both or
either of the edges or the vertices of the cross-sectional shape is
contemplated in the
description of any non-circular cross section referred to herein.
[0058] The cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the receptacle contacts
125a and 125b
can take various forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts can include
conductive
pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes for pins or posts, or the like. Some types
of contacts can
include springs or other features to facilitate better physical and electrical
contact between the
contacts on the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110. The
electrical contacts
can optionally be gold-plated, and/or include other materials.
[0059] FIGS. 1B-1D illustrate an embodiment of the vaporizer body 110
having a
cartridge receptacle 118 into which the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be
releasably inserted.
FIGS. 1B and 1C show top views of the vaporization device 100 illustrating the
vaporizer
cartridge 120 being positioned for insertion and inserted, respectively, into
the vaporizer body
110. FIG. 1D illustrates the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120
being formed in
whole or in part from translucent material such that a level of the
vaporizable material 102 is
visible from a window 132 (e.g., translucent material) along the vaporizer
cartridge 120. The
vaporizer cartridge 120 can be configured such that the window 132 remains
visible when
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insertably received by the vaporizer cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer
body 110. For
example, in one exemplary configuration, the window 132 can be disposed
between a bottom
edge of the mouthpiece 130 and a top edge of the vaporizer body 110 when the
vaporizer
cartridge 120 is coupled with the cartridge receptacle 118.
[0060] FIGS. 1E illustrates an example airflow path 134 created during a
puff by a user
on the vaporizer device 100. The airflow path 134 can direct air to a
vaporization chamber
150 (see FIG. 1F) contained in a wick housing where the air is combined with
inhalable
aerosol for delivery to a user via a mouthpiece 130, which can also be part of
the vaporizer
cartridge 120. For example, when a user puffs on the vaporizer device 100
device 100, air
can pass between an outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 (for example,
window 132
shown in FIG. 1D) and an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118 on the
vaporizer body
110. Air can then be drawn into the insertable end 122 of the vaporizer
cartridge 120,
through the vaporization chamber 150 that includes or contains the heating
element and wick,
and out through an outlet 136 of the mouthpiece 130 for delivery of the
inhalable aerosol to a
user.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 1E, this configuration causes air to flow down
around the
insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge
receptacle 118 and then
flow back in the opposite direction after passing around the insertable end
122 (e.g., an end
opposite of the end including the mouthpiece 130) of the vaporizer cartridge
120 as it enters
into the cartridge body toward the vaporization chamber 150. The airflow path
134 then
travels through the interior of the vaporizer cartridge 120, for example via
one or more tubes
or internal channels (such as cannula 128 shown in FIG. 1F) and through one or
more outlets
(such as outlet 136) formed in the mouthpiece 130. The mouthpiece 130 can be a
separable
component of the vaporizer cartridge 120 or can be integrally formed with
other
component(s) of the vaporizer cartridge 120 (for example, formed as a unitary
structure with
the reservoir 140 and/or the like).
[0062] FIG. 1F shows additional features that can be included in the
vaporizer cartridge
120 consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. For
example, the
vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a plurality of cartridge contacts (such as
cartridge
contacts 124a, 124b) disposed on the insertable end 122. The cartridge
contacts 124a, 124b
can optionally each be part of a single piece of metal that forms a conductive
structure (such
as conductive structure 126) connected to one of two ends of a resistive
heating element. The
conductive structure can optionally form opposing sides of a heating chamber
and can act as
heat shields and/or heat sinks to reduce transmission of heat to outer walls
of the vaporizer
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cartridge 120. FIG. 1F also shows the cannula 128 within the vaporizer
cartridge 120 that
defines part of the airflow path 134 between the heating chamber formed
between the
conductive structure 126 and the mouthpiece 130.
[0063] As mentioned above, a vacuum can be created in the reservoir 140
when the
vaporizable material 102 is pulled from the reservoir. The presence of the
vacuum in the
reservoir 140 can reduce or prevent the capillary action provided by the wick.
This can
reduce the effectiveness of the wick to draw the vaporizable material 102 into
the
vaporization chamber 150, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the vaporizer
device 100 to
vaporize a desired amount of the vaporizable material 102, such as when a user
takes a puff
on the vaporizer device 100. Furthermore, the vacuum created in the reservoir
140 can
ultimately result in the inability to draw all of the vaporizable material 102
into the
vaporization chamber 150, thereby wasting vaporizable material. Various
features and
devices are described below that improve upon or overcome these issues. For
example,
various features are described herein for inhibiting a vacuum from being
created in a
reservoir housing as a vaporizable material is withdrawn therefrom and into a
vaporization
chamber in a vaporizer device. Avoiding creating a vacuum can provide
advantages and
improvements relative to existing approaches, while also introducing
additional benefits as
described herein. As used herein, "reservoir housing" is used synonymously
with "reservoir."
[0064] The vaporizer cartridges described herein allow a vaporizable
material to be
drawn out of a reservoir housing of the vaporizing device using at least one
wicking element
(e.g., a wick) while reducing headspace that acts against the capillary action
of the wicking
element. The vaporizer cartridges generally include a reservoir housing having
at least one
inner container that is configured to hold a vaporizable material. As
discussed in more detail
below, the at least one inner container is configured to collapse or deform as
the vaporizable
material is drawn into the at least one wicking material such that the
pressure within the at
least one inner container remains substantially constant. That is, as the at
least one wicking
element draws the vaporizable material out of the at least one inner
container, the volume of
the at least one inner container decreases, thereby substantially preventing
the creation of a
headspace vacuum. As such, the at least one wicking element can more
effectively draw out
the vaporizable material from the reservoir housing, resulting in greater
saturation. The
greater the saturation of the at least one wicking element, the more effective
the vaporizer
device can be in vaporizing a desired amount of vaporizable material. Further,
the at least
one inner container is substantially sealed to the at least one wicking
element to prevent
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undesirable leakage of the vaporizable material. This seal promotes the
vaporizable material
to be substantially dispensed only through the at least one wicking element.
[0065] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary vaporizer cartridge 200 that can be
selectively
coupled to and removable from a vaporizer body, such as vaporizer body 110
shown in FIGS.
1A-1D). More specifically, the vaporizer cartridge 200 includes an inner
container 202 that
is configured to collapse, and consequently, decrease in volume, as a
vaporizable material
206 is drawn therefrom, for example concurrent with and/or after a user puffs
on a
mouthpiece 230 coupled with the vaporizer cartridge 200.
[0066] As shown, the vaporizer cartridge 200 includes a reservoir housing
204 and a
vaporization chamber 208 with a wicking element 210 extending therebetween.
The
reservoir housing 204 has an inner volume defined by reservoir walls 204a,
204b, 204c, and
204d. The reservoir housing 204 includes the inner container 202, which holds
the
vaporizable material 206.
[0067] The reservoir housing 204 can be formed of a material and/or in a
structural
configuration having more rigidity as compared to the inner container 202. As
such, the
reservoir housing 204 can also protect the inner container 202 from being
damaged. For
example, the reservoir housing 204 and the inner container 202 can serve as
two lines of
defense against undesirable leakage of the vaporizable material 206 to the
environment
and/or to other portions of the vaporizer cartridge 200, such as the portion
of the mouthpiece
230 where a user applies his or her lips.
[0068] While the reservoir housing 204 and the inner container 202 can have
a variety of
shapes and configurations, the reservoir housing 204 and the inner container
202, as shown in
FIG. 2, can each have a substantially rectangular shape. In other embodiments,
the inner
container 202 can have a different shape than that of the reservoir housing
204. Further, an
initial volume of the inner container 202 can be substantially equal to the
inner volume of the
reservoir housing 204. As such, the size and shape of the inner container 202,
and thus, the
amount of vaporizable material 206 disposed therein, is dependent at least in
part on the size
and shape of the reservoir housing 204.
[0069] In general, as discussed above, the inner container 202 is
configured to collapse as
the vaporizable material 206 is drawn out of the inner container 202 and into
the wicking
element 210. As a result, the volume of the inner container 202 decreases as
the volume of
vaporizable material 206 decreases. This decrease in volume of the inner
container 202can
substantially prevent a headspace vacuum from forming within the inner
container 202. This
allows the capillary action of the wicking element 210 to effectively draw
vaporizable
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material 206 from the reservoir housing 204 and into the vaporization chamber
208 after each
puff on the mouthpiece 230 by the user.
[0070] As shown, the inner container 202 is substantially sealed to the
wicking element
210 at an interface 212. As a result, the removal of the vaporizable material
206 from the
inner container 202 occurs primarily, if not completely, through the wicking
element 210,
thereby increase leak tightness therebetween. That is, substantially sealing
the inner
container 202 to the wicking element 210 can help prevent leakage of
vaporizable material to
the environment and/or to other portions of the vaporizer cartridge, such as
the portion of the
mouthpiece 230 where a user applies his or her lips. Any suitable method can
be used to seal
the inner container 202 to the wicking element 210, for example, by way of
heat sealing and
the like.
[0071] The inner container 202 can have a variety of configurations. For
example, as
shown in FIG. 2, the inner container 202 has a pouch configuration. The inner
container 202
can be formed of a flexible material. Any flexible material that can reduce in
size (decrease
in volume within the reservoir housing 204) as the vaporizable material 206 is
withdrawn
from the inner container 202 can be used. For example, the flexible material
can be an elastic
material that expands to a stretched state when a volume of vaporizable
material 206 is
disposed therein and returns to a collapsed state as the volume of the
vaporizable material
206 is drawn out. Non-limiting examples of suitable flexible materials include
elastomers
and the like. The flexible material can be a single or multi-layered
structure. The flexible
material can also be non-permeable to air thereby inhibiting air within the
reservoir housing
204 from entering the inner container 202 and replacing the volume of the
withdrawn
vaporizable material 206. Alternatively, or in addition, the flexible material
can be coated
with a non-permeable coating. Other suitable structural configurations of the
inner container
202 are also contemplated herein.
[0072] In use, as the volume of the inner container 202 decreases, negative
pressure can
be created in the reservoir housing 204. This negative pressure can exert a
pulling force on
the inner container 202 that draws the inner container 202 in an outward
direction relative to
the wicking element 210, which can therefore hinder the ability of the inner
container 202 to
collapse. To eliminate or reduce this negative pressure, the pressure within
reservoir housing
204 can be increased as the inner container 202 collapses. For example, the
vaporizer
cartridge 200 can include at least one vent 214 that is configured to
selectively allow the
passage of air into the reservoir housing 204 from the environment to thereby
substantially
maintain an inner pressure (e.g., an inner pressure that is substantially
equal to ambient
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pressure) of the reservoir housing 204. This at least one vent 214 can be a
passive valve or an
active valve.
[0073] The at least one vent 214 can have a variety of configurations. For
example, as
shown in FIG. 2, the at least one vent 214 can include one or more holes that
extend through
a sidewall of reservoir housing 204 and selectively allow air to pass into (or
out of) the
reservoir housing 204. For example, the one or more holes can allow air to
pass into the
reservoir housing 2014 to increase pressure the pressure therein. This
increase in pressure
effectively relieves any vacuum (negative pressure) that is created within the
reservoir
housing 204 itself as the volume of the inner container 202 decreases. That
is, as the
vaporizable material 206 is withdrawn from the inner container 202, during
use, an influx of
air can enter the reservoir housing 204 through the one or more holes to
equalize the pressure
within the reservoir housing 204 itself Further, this influx of air can also
aid in collapsing
the inner container 202.
[0074] The one or more holes can have any suitable size that allows an
effective amount
of air to enter the reservoir housing 204. That is, the one or more holes are
sized such that
they are not substantively restrictive to airflow. For example, in some
embodiments, the size
of the one or more holes can effect at an influx rate of air that corresponds
to the absorption
rate of the wicking element 210. Further, in certain embodiments, the size of
the one or more
holes can be the same, whereas in other embodiments, the size of the one or
more holes can
vary.
[0075] The at least one vent 214 can be positioned in a variety of
locations along the
reservoir housing 204, such as to achieve the pressure equalization. For
example, as shown
in FIG. 2, the at least one vent 214 is positioned proximal to a top end 203
of the reservoir
housing 204. As such, an effective position of the at least one vent 214 can
therefore depend
at least in part on the location of the wicking element 210 relative thereto
and the direction of
the gravitational flow of the vaporizable material within the inner container
202.
[0076] While the vaporization chamber 208 can have a variety of
configurations, the
vaporization chamber 208, as shown in FIG. 2, is defined by two opposing
sidewalls 208a,
208b, one of which is the sidewall 204b of the reservoir housing 204, and a
bottom wall 208c
extending therebetween. As such, in this illustrated embodiment, the
vaporization chamber
208 extends co-planar with the reservoir housing 204. As shown, an airflow
passageway 216
extends through the vaporization chamber 208. The airflow passageway 216 is
configured to
direct airflow 218 and aerosol through the vaporization chamber 208 and into
the mouthpiece
230 for inhalation by a user.
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[0077] The airflow 218 enters the vaporization chamber 208 through the
bottom wall
208c as a user puffs on the mouthpiece 230. As such, the bottom wall 208c is
configured to
allow airflow 218 to readily pass therethrough and into the vaporization
chamber 208. While
the bottom wall 208c can have a variety of configurations, the bottom wall
208c is perforated,
as shown in FIG. 2. The perforations can be of any suitable size that allows
air to pass
through the bottom wall 208c. In certain embodiments, the size of the
perforations can
prevent the vaporizable material 206 or aerosol to pass through the bottom
wall 208c, and
therefore prevent undesirable leakage into other portions of the device. The
bottom wall
208c can include any suitable number of perforations, and therefore the number
of
perforations is not limited by what is illustrated in the FIG. 2.
Alternatively or in addition,
the bottom wall 208c can be formed of an air permeable material. Thus, the
bottom wall
208c functions as an air inlet for the vaporization chamber 208.
[0078] The bottom wall 208c can also be configured to prevent airflow 218
and/or
aerosol within the vaporization chamber 208 from passing therethrough. That
is, the bottom
wall 208c can be configured as a one-way valve, and therefore only allow
airflow 218 to pass
through and into the vaporization chamber 208. In some embodiments, any of the
remaining
walls of the vaporization chamber 208 can be perforated and/or formed of an
air permeable
material to allow air to pass into (or out of) the vaporization chamber 208 as
desired.
[0079] In some embodiments, at least one wall of the vaporization chamber
208, such as
sidewall 208b which is also sidewall 204b of the reservoir housing 204, can be
formed of or
coated with a hydrophobic material so as to prevent any condensation from
accumulating
within the vaporization chamber 208. As such, any water that may be present in
the aerosol
and airflow 218 can be carried through and out of the vaporization chamber 208
as the user
puffs on the mouthpiece 230.
[0080] A heating element or heater can be contained within the vaporization
chamber 208
and coupled to the wicking element 210. The wicking element 210 is configured
to provide
the capillary action that draws the vaporizable material 206 from the inner
container 202 of
the reservoir housing 204 to the vaporization chamber 208 to be vaporized into
aerosol by
heat generated by the heating element. The aerosol is then combined with
airflow 218
traveling along the airflow passageway 216 for inhalation by a user.
[0081] While the wicking element 210 can be positioned anywhere along the
airflow
passageway 216, the wicking element 210, as shown in FIG. 2, is positioned
proximate to the
bottom wall 208c of the vaporization chamber 208. The wicking element 210 can
be any
suitable porous material that allows the vaporizable material 206 to flow
therethrough under
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capillary pressure. For example, the wicking element 210 can be formed of one
or more
ceramic materials, such as silica. Alternatively or in addition, the wicking
element 210 can
be a composite of two or more materials, such as an inner material (e.g.,
graphite) surrounded
by an outer material (e.g., a ceramic material).
[0082] In some embodiments, the wicking element 210 can be formed of a
porous
material that includes a conductive material. For example, the ceramic
material of the
wicking element 210 can be doped to include resistive properties. Such doping
of the wick
material (e.g., ceramic) can increase the rate of heating of the wicking
element 210, and thus
the rate of vaporization of the vaporizable material 206.
[0083] Some embodiments can include a wicking element 210 having a cross-
section that
varies along a length of the wicking element 210. For example, a part of the
wicking element
210 that includes a smaller cross-section compared to another part of the
wicking element
210 can, for example, result in greater resistance against energy flow,
thereby allowing faster
evaporation and vaporization of vaporizable material 206, such as for forming
an aerosol for
inhalation by a user. In some implementations, at least one of the cross-
section dimensions
and the density of conductive material can vary along a length of the wicking
element 210,
such as to achieve varying results (e.g., rate of vaporization, rate of
heating, etc.).
[0084] In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 200 includes two or
more cartridge
contacts such as, for example, two cartridge contact 232a, 232b. The two or
more cartridge
contacts can be configured to couple, for example, with the receptacle
contacts 125a and
125b in order to form one or more electrical connections with the vaporizer
device 100. The
circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow delivery of
electrical current to
the heating element or heater in the vaporization chamber 208 and coupled to
the wicking
element 210. As noted, the wicking element 210 provides the capillary action
for drawing
the vaporizable material 206 from the inner container 202 of the reservoir
housing 204 into
the vaporization chamber 208, where the vaporizable material 206 is vaporized
into aerosol
by heat generated by the heating element. The aerosol is then combined with
airflow 218
traveling along the airflow passageway 216 for inhalation by a user. The
circuit can also
serve additional functions such as, for example, measuring a resistance of the
heating element
for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of the heating element
based on a
thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element.
[0085] While the embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge have been discussed
in the
context of a single inner container and a single wick, alternative embodiments
of the
vaporizer cartridge can employ multiple inner containers and/or multiple
wicks. For
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example, as shown in FIG. 3, the vaporizer cartridge 300 can include a wicking
element 310,
such as wicking element 210 (FIG. 2), extending between two chambers 304a,
304b of a
reservoir housing 304, such as reservoir housing 204 (FIG. 2). Each chamber
304a, and 304b
includes an inner container 302a, 302b, such as inner container 202 (FIG. 2).
As further
shown in FIG. 3, the vaporizer cartridge 300 includes a vaporization chamber
308, like
vaporization chamber 208 (FIG. 2), that extends between the two chambers 304a,
304b of the
reservoir housing 304, thereby forming a central air passageway 316. Moreover,
FIG. 3
shows the vaporizer cartridge 300 as including a mouthpiece 312 and one or
more cartridge
contacts such as, for example, a first cartridge contact 314a and a second
cartridge contact
314b.
Terminology
[0086] For purposes of describing and defining the present teachings, it is
noted that
unless indicated otherwise, the term "substantially" is utilized herein to
represent the inherent
degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison,
value,
measurement, or other representation. The term "substantially" is also
utilized herein to
represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a
stated reference
without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at
issue.
[0087] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being "on"
another feature or
element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening
features and/or
elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is
referred to as being
"directly on" another feature or element, there are no intervening features or
elements
present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is
referred to as being
"connected", "attached" or "coupled" to another feature or element, it can be
directly
connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening
features or
elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to
as being
"directly connected", "directly attached" or "directly coupled" to another
feature or element,
there are no intervening features or elements present.
[0088] Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the
features and
elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be
appreciated
by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is
disposed "adjacent"
another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent
feature.
[0089] Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments
and implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as
used herein, the
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singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms
as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0090] In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as "at
least one of' or
"one or more of' may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or
features. The term
"and/or" may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless
otherwise
implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it used, such a
phrase is intended
to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the
recited elements or
features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features.
For example, the
phrases "at least one of A and B;" "one or more of A and B;" and "A and/or B"
are each
intended to mean "A alone, B alone, or A and B together." A similar
interpretation is also
intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases "at
least one of A,
B, and C;" "one or more of A, B, and C;" and "A, B, and/or C" are each
intended to mean "A
alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together,
or A and B
and C together." Use of the term "based on," above and in the claims is
intended to mean,
"based at least in part on," such that an unrecited feature or element is also
permissible.
[0091] Spatially relative terms, such as "forward", "rearward", "under",
"below",
"lower", "over", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of
description to describe
one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as
illustrated in the
figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended
to encompass
different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the
orientation depicted
in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements
described as
"under" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "over"
the other
elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can encompass both an
orientation
of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or
at other
orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly.
Similarly, the terms "upwardly", "downwardly", "vertical", "horizontal" and
the like are used
herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated
otherwise.
[0092] Although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to
describe various
features/elements (including steps), these features/elements should not be
limited by these
terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to
distinguish one
feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element
discussed below
could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second
feature/element discussed
below could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the
teachings provided
herein.
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[0093] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in
the examples
and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if
prefaced by the word
"about" or "approximately," even if the term does not expressly appear. The
phrase "about"
or "approximately" may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to
indicate that
the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of
values and/or
positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/- 0.1% of
the stated value
(or range of values), +/- 1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- 2%
of the stated value
(or range of values), +/- 5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- 10%
of the stated
value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical values given herein should also
be understood
to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates
otherwise. For
example, if the value "10" is disclosed, then "about 10" is also disclosed.
Any numerical
range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.
It is also
understood that when a value is disclosed that "less than or equal to" the
value, "greater than
or equal to the value" and possible ranges between values are also disclosed,
as appropriately
understood by the skilled artisan. For example, if the value "X" is disclosed
the "less than or
equal to X" as well as "greater than or equal to X" (e.g., where X is a
numerical value) is also
disclosed. It is also understood that the throughout the application, data is
provided in a
number of different formats, and that this data, represents endpoints and
starting points, and
ranges for any combination of the data points. For example, if a particular
data point "10"
and a particular data point "15" are disclosed, it is understood that greater
than, greater than
or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15 are
considered disclosed as
well as between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two
particular units
are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13,
and 14 are also
disclosed.
[0094] Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any
of a number
of changes may be made to various embodiments without departing from the
teachings
herein. For example, the order in which various described method steps are
performed may
often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative
embodiments, one or
more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various
device and
system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others.
Therefore,
the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and
should not be
interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.
[0095] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described
herein can be
realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially
designed application
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specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)
computer
hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof These various
aspects or features
can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are
executable and/or
interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable
processor,
which can be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and
instructions from, and to
transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input
device, and at least one
output device. The programmable system or computing system may include clients
and
servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and
typically interact
through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises
by virtue of
computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-
server
relationship to each other.
[0096] These computer programs, which can also be referred to programs,
software,
software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine
instructions for a
programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural
language, an
object-oriented programming language, a functional programming language, a
logical
programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the
term
"machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, apparatus
and/or
device, such as for example magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, and
Programmable Logic
Devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a
programmable
processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine
instructions as a
machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any
signal used to
provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor. The
machine-
readable medium can store such machine instructions non-transitorily, such as
for example as
would a non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any
equivalent storage
medium. The machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally store
such machine
instructions in a transient manner, such as for example, as would a processor
cache or other
random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.
[0097] The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of
illustration and
not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be
practiced. As
mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that
structural
and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the
scope of this
disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred
to herein
individually or collectively by the term "invention" merely for convenience
and without
intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single
invention or inventive
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concept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, although specific
embodiments have
been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve
the same
purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure
is intended
to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.
Combinations of the
above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,
will be
apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
Use of the term
"based on," herein and in the claims is intended to mean, "based at least in
part on," such that
an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.
[0098] The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems,
apparatus,
methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. The
implementations set
forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations
consistent with the
subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples
consistent with
aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations
have been
described in detail herein, other modifications or additions are possible. In
particular, further
features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth
herein. For example,
the implementations described herein can be directed to various combinations
and
subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and
subcombinations of
several further features disclosed herein. In addition, the logic flows
depicted in the
accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the
particular order
shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other
implementations may be
within the scope of the following claims.
