Cartridge for a vaporizer device

Abstract

A vaporization device includes a cartridge for a vaporizer device. For example, the vaporizer cartridge and/or features thereof may improve management of leaks of vaporizable material from the vaporizer cartridge, control of airflow within and/or near the vaporizer cartridge, heating of vaporizable material in the vaporizer cartridge, management of condensate in the vaporizer cartridge, and/or other assembly features of the vaporizer cartridge. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vaporizer cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge housing;   a reservoir configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material, the reservoir being partially defined by at least one wall of the cartridge housing, the reservoir comprising,
 a storage chamber, and 
 an overflow volume; 
   a collector disposed in the overflow volume, the collector comprising,
 a secondary passageway configured to retain a volume of the liquid vaporizable material in fluid contact with the storage chamber, and 
 a microfluidic gate disposed at one end of the secondary passageway and configured to control flow of the liquid vaporizable material between the second passageway and the storage chamber; 
   a wicking element in fluid communication with the reservoir, the wicking element configured to draw the liquid vaporizable material from the storage chamber; and   a heating element configured to heat the wicking element to convert at least some of the liquid vaporizable material drawn from the storage chamber to a gaseous state.   
     
     
         2 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the collector further includes a primary passageway through which at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material flows from the storage chamber to the wicking element, and wherein the primary passageway provides a fluid connection between the storage chamber and the wicking element. 
     
     
         3 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the primary passageway is formed through a structure of the collector. 
     
     
         4 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the primary passageway comprises a first channel configured to allow for the liquid vaporizable material to flow from the storage chamber toward the wicking element, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the first channel includes at least one irregularity configured to allow liquid in the first channel to bypass an air bubble blocking a remainder of the first channel. 
     
     
         5 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the secondary passageway comprises a plurality of spaced-apart constriction points having a smaller cross-sectional area than parts of the secondary passageway between the constriction points. 
     
     
         6 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 5 , wherein the constriction points have a flatter surface directed along the secondary passageway toward the storage chamber and a rounder surface directed along the secondary passageway away from the storage chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises,
 a heating portion comprising at least two tines spaced apart from one another, the heating portion being preformed to define an interior volume configured to receive the wicking element such that the heating portion secures at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating element, the heating portion being configured to contact at least two separate surfaces of the wicking element; and   at least two legs coupled to the at least two tines and spaced apart from the heating portion, the at least two legs configured to electrically communicate with a power source, wherein power is configured to be supplied to the heating portion from the power source to generate heat, thereby vaporizing the vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.   
     
     
         8 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 7 , wherein the at least two tines comprises:
 a first side tine portion;   a second side tine portion opposing the first side tine portion; and   a platform tine portion connecting the first side tine portion with the second side tine portion, the platform tine portion being positioned approximately perpendicular to a portion of the first side tine portion and the second side tine portion,   wherein the first side tine portion, the second side tine portion, and the platform tine portion define the interior volume in which the wicking element is positioned.   
     
     
         9 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 7 , wherein each of the at least two legs includes a cartridge contact positioned at an end of each of the at least two legs, the cartridge contact configured to electrically communicate with the power source, the cartridge contact being angled and extending away from the heating portion. 
     
     
         10 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two legs include a capillary feature, the capillary feature causing an abrupt change in capillary pressure to thereby prevent the vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary feature. 
     
     
         11 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising a wick housing, the wick housing comprising:
 an outer wall; and   an interior volume defined by the outer wall, the interior volume configured to receive a portion of the heating element and the wicking element.   
     
     
         12 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 11 , wherein the outer wall is configured to be positioned between the heating portion and the connecting portion. 
     
     
         13 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 11 , wherein the outer wall comprises two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides. 
     
     
         14 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the two opposing short sides comprises a chip recess configured to receive an identification chip. 
     
     
         15 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge housing comprises a monolithic hollow structure having a first, open end, and a second end opposite the first end. 
     
     
         16 . The vaporizer cartridge of  claim 15 , wherein the collector is insertably received within the first end of the monolithic hollow structure. 
     
     
         17 . A vaporizer comprising a vaporizer body and the vaporizer cartridge of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The vaporizer of  claim 17 , wherein the vaporizer body and the vaporizer cartridge are separably attachable to form the vaporizer. 
     
     
         19 . The vaporizer of  claim 18 , wherein the heating element comprises,
 a heating portion comprising at least two tines spaced apart from one another, the heating portion being preformed to define an interior volume configured to receive the wicking element such that the heating portion secures at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating element, the heating portion being configured to contact at least two separate surfaces of the wicking element; and   at least two legs coupled to the at least two tines and spaced apart from the heating portion, the at least two legs configured to electrically communicate with a power source, wherein power is configured to be supplied to the heating portion from the power source to generate heat, thereby vaporizing the vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.   
     
     
         20 . The vaporizer of  claim 19 , wherein the vaporizer cartridge comprises a heat shield configured to insulate the heating portion of the heating element from the vaporizer body.