# US 11,452,177 B2 · Vaporization device systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,452,177 B2 - Document ID: US11452177B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/114,204 - Filed: 2018-08-27 - Published: 2019-01-10 - Granted: 2022-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-06 - Assignees: JUUL Labs, Inc. - Applicants: JUUL Labs, Inc. - Inventors: Ariel Atkins; Adam Bowen; Steven Christensen; Nicholas Jay Hatton; Christopher Nicholas Hibma Cronan; James Monsees; Joshua Morenstein - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11452177B2 ## CPC - H05B 1/0227: {Applications} - A24F 40/00: Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor - A24F 40/485: Valves; Apertures - A61M 15/06: Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes - H05B 1/0244: {Heating of fluids (H05B1/0247 takes precedence)} - A24F 40/10: Devices using liquid inhalable precursors - A24F 40/20: Devices using solid inhalable precursors - A24F 40/50: Control or monitoring - A61M 11/042: {electrical} - A61M 11/047: {by exothermic chemical reaction} - A61M 15/0015: {located upstream of the dispenser, i.e. not traversed by the product} - A61M 15/0016: {located downstream of the dispenser, i.e. traversed by the product} - A61M 15/0021: {Mouthpieces therefor} - A61M 15/0086: {Inhalation chambers} - A61M 2016/0021: {with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor} - A61M 2205/3317: Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means - A61M 2205/3368: Temperature - A61M 2205/3653: by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M 2205/8237: Charging means - A61M 2209/086: Docking stations - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - A24F: SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES (inhaling appliances for medical purposes, shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes A61M15/06) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Provided herein are systems and methods to generate an inhalable vapor in an electronic vaporization device. The vaporization device may generate a vapor with one or more defined characteristics. In some cases, the vapor may have a predetermined aerosol number density and/or a predetermined average aerosol diameter. The vaporization device may generate a vapor from a vaporizable material. In some cases, the vaporizable material may be a liquid material housed in a cartridge. The vaporization device may comprise a rechargeable power storage device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for generating an inhalable aerosol, the device comprising: a cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the cartridge comprising: a heater comprising a heating element configured to heat a vaporizable material to a vaporization temperature to generate a vapor; a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact at the distal end, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact electrically isolated and disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the distal end of the cartridge; and a mouthpiece disposed at the proximal end and comprising a condensation chamber in which at least a fraction of the vapor condenses to form the inhalable aerosol, the condensation chamber in fluid communication with the heater, the mouthpiece further comprising at least one aerosol outlet in fluid communication with the condensation chamber; a body comprising a power source, the body including a receptacle configured to insertably receive and couple to the cartridge, the heating element positioned in the receptacle when the cartridge is insertably received in the receptacle; a first air inlet in fluid communication with a first airflow path configured to deliver air towards the heater; and a second air inlet in fluid communication with a second airflow path configured to deliver air towards the heater. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge further comprises a protrusion extending from an exterior surface of the cartridge, and wherein at least part of the protrusion is configured to be disposed within the receptacle when the receptacle insertably receives and couples to the cartridge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the body has a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, wherein the receptacle is disposed at the top end, wherein a body longitudinal axis extends from the top end to the bottom end, and wherein a first body transverse axis and a second body transverse axis extend substantially perpendicular to the body longitudinal axis, the body having a greater dimension along the first body transverse axis than along the second body transverse axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is attached to the proximal end of the cartridge by a snap-fit coupling. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a temperature regulator in communication with a temperature sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising: a microcontroller configured to measure a resistance of the heating element, wherein a temperature of the heating element is determined from the resistance measured. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle terminates in a proximal edge, wherein the first airflow path extends from a first side of the proximal edge towards the distal end of the cartridge when the receptacle insertably receives and couples to the cartridge, wherein the second airflow path extends from a second side of the proximal edge towards the distal end of the cartridge when the receptacle insertably receives and couples to the cartridge, and wherein the first side is opposite the second side. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge has a longitudinal dimension extending from the proximal end of the cartridge to the distal end of the cartridge, and wherein an exterior surface of the cartridge and an internal surface of the receptacle are substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension when the receptacle insertably receives and couples to the cartridge, the exterior surface of the cartridge and the internal surface of the receptacle defining at least a portion of the first airflow path. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact disposed in a second plane, the second plane substantially parallel to the distal end of the cartridge when the cartridge is received within the receptacle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge further comprises a wick comprising at least one of: a silica material, a cotton material, a ceramic material, a hemp material, or a stainless steel material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge further comprises a storage compartment configured to hold the vaporizable material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the storage compartment comprises the vaporizable material, and wherein the vaporizable material comprises a nicotine formulation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the storage compartment comprises opposing exterior surfaces between the distal end and the proximal end of the cartridge, and wherein the mouthpiece is attached over at least part of the opposing exterior surfaces. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the mouthpiece forms a cavity, wherein a first portion of the storage compartment is disposed inside of the cavity and a second portion of the storage compartment is disposed outside of the cavity, at least part of the second portion configured for insertion into the receptacle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a first coupling feature and a second coupling feature, wherein the storage compartment comprises a third coupling feature and a fourth coupling feature on the opposing opposite exterior surfaces of the storage compartment, wherein the first coupling feature is configured to couple with one of the third coupling feature and the fourth coupling feature, and wherein the second coupling feature is configured to couple with the other of the third coupling feature and the fourth coupling feature. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the third coupling feature comprises a first raised rail, and wherein the fourth coupling feature comprises a second raised rail. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the mouthpiece is opaque, and wherein the second portion of the storage compartment comprises a surface configured so that the vaporizable material is visible through the surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the receptacle is configured so that the second portion of the storage compartment is visible when the cartridge is coupled to the receptacle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one aerosol outlet comprises a first aerosol outlet and a second aerosol outlet, each of the first aerosol outlet and the second aerosol outlet in in fluid communication with the condensation chamber. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge further comprises an exterior surface forming a first side of the first airflow path, and wherein the receptacle comprises an internal surface forming a second side of the first airflow path. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is configured to couple to the cartridge by a friction assembly, a snap-fit assembly, or a magnetic assembly. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge further comprises a storage compartment configured to hold the vaporizable material, wherein the mouthpiece is opaque and forms a cavity, wherein a first portion of the storage compartment is disposed inside of the cavity and a second portion of the storage compartment is disposed outside of the cavity, wherein at least part of the second portion is configured for insertion into the receptacle, and wherein the second portion of the storage compartment comprises a surface configured so that the vaporizable material is visible through the surface. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The device of claim 22, wherein the receptacle is configured so that the second portion of the storage compartment is visible when the cartridge is coupled to the receptacle. ### Claim 24 A device for generating an inhalable aerosol comprising: a cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the cartridge comprising: a heater comprising a heating element configured to heat a vaporizable material to a vaporization temperature to generate a vapor; a mouthpiece comprising a condensation chamber in which at least a fraction of the vapor condenses to form the inhalable aerosol, the condensation chamber in fluid communication with the heater, the mouthpiece further comprising at least one aerosol outlet in fluid communication with the condensation chamber, the mouthpiece forming a cavity, the mouthpiece comprising a first coupling feature and a second coupling feature; and a storage compartment configured to hold the vaporizable material, the mouthpiece attached over a first portion of the storage compartment by a snap-fit coupling, the first portion of the storage compartment disposed inside of the cavity of the mouthpiece and a second portion of the storage compartment disposed outside of the cavity, at least part of the second portion configured for insertion into a receptacle, the storage compartment comprising opposing exterior surfaces between the proximal end and the distal end of the cartridge, the storage compartment comprising a third coupling feature and a fourth coupling feature on the opposing exterior surfaces, the third coupling feature configured to couple with one of the first coupling feature and the second coupling feature, and the fourth coupling feature configured to couple with the other of the first coupling feature and the second coupling feature; a body comprising a power source, the body including the receptacle configured to insertably receive and couple to the cartridge, the heating element positioned in the receptacle when the cartridge is insertably received in the receptacle; a first air inlet in fluid communication with a first airflow path configured to deliver air towards the heater; and a second air inlet in fluid communication with a second airflow path configured to deliver air towards the heater. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the cartridge further comprises a protrusion extending from an exterior surface of the cartridge, and wherein at least part of the protrusion is configured to be disposed within the receptacle when the cartridge is inserted into and coupled within the receptacle. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the cartridge comprises a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact proximate to the distal end of the cartridge, the mouthpiece disposed proximate to the proximal end of the cartridge, wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are electrically isolated and disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the distal end of the cartridge. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The device of claim 26, wherein the receptacle comprises a third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact disposed in a second plane, the second plane substantially parallel to the distal end of the cartridge when the cartridge is received within the receptacle. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the cartridge further comprises a wick comprising at least one of: a silica material, a cotton material, a ceramic material, a hemp material, or a stainless steel material. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the mouthpiece is disposed at the proximal end, and wherein the heater is disposed proximate to the distal end. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The device of claim 29, wherein the cartridge has a longitudinal dimension extending from the proximal end of the cartridge to the distal end of the cartridge, and wherein an exterior surface of the cartridge and an internal surface of the receptacle are substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension when the cartridge is inserted into and coupled within the receptacle, said exterior surface of the cartridge and the internal surface of the receptacle defining at least a portion of the first airflow path. ### Claim 31 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the storage compartment comprises the vaporizable material, and wherein the vaporizable material comprises a nicotine formulation. ### Claim 32 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the storage compartment comprises an exterior surface of the cartridge forming a first side of the first airflow path, and wherein the receptacle comprises an internal surface forming a second side of the first airflow path. ### Claim 33 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the storage compartment comprises four exterior walls, the four exterior walls comprising the opposing exterior surfaces of the storage compartment, and wherein the mouthpiece comprises four interior walls. ### Claim 34 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the mouthpiece is opaque, and wherein the second portion of the storage compartment comprises a surface configured so that the vaporizable material is visible through the surface. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, wherein the receptacle is configured so that the second portion of the storage compartment is visible when the cartridge is coupled to the receptacle. ### Claim 36 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the first coupling feature comprises a first raised rail, and wherein the second coupling feature comprises a second raised rail. ### Claim 37 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the receptacle is configured to couple to the cartridge by a friction assembly, a snap-fit assembly, or a magnetic assembly.