# US 12,246,128 B2 · Vaporizer related systems, methods, and apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,246,128 B2 - Document ID: US12246128B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/943,889 - Filed: 2022-09-13 - Published: 2023-01-05 - Granted: 2025-03-11 - Earliest claimed: 2010-05-15 - Assignees: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc. - Applicants: Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. - Inventors: Nathan Andrew Terry; Noah Mark Minskoff - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12246128B2 ## CPC - A61M 15/0001: {Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof} - A24F 40/44: Wicks - A24F 40/46: Shape or structure of electric heating means - A24F 40/485: Valves; Apertures - A61M 11/041: {using heaters} - A61M 11/042: {electrical} - A61M 15/0025: {with caps} - A61M 15/0035: {Piercing means} - A61M 15/06: Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes - A24F 40/10: Devices using liquid inhalable precursors - A61M 2016/0018: {electrical} - A61M 2205/0205: Materials having antiseptic or antimicrobial properties, e.g. silver compounds, rubber with sterilising agent - A61M 2205/0233: Conductive materials, e.g. antistatic coatings for spark prevention - A61M 2205/13: with means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. lip sensor - A61M 2205/3592: using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission - A61M 2205/3653: by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance - A61M 2205/3693: by mechanical waves, e.g. ultrasonic - A61M 2205/505: Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches - A61M 2205/52: with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient - A61M 2205/59: Aesthetic features, e.g. distraction means to prevent fears of child patients - A61M 2205/80: voice-operated command - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M 2230/005: Parameter used as control input for the apparatus - A61M 2230/65: Impedance, e.g. conductivity, capacity - 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)} - A24F: SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES (inhaling appliances for medical purposes, shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes A61M15/06) ## Abstract A personal vapor inhaling unit is disclosed. An electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit that may simulate a cigarette has a cavity that receives a cartridge in the distal end of the inhaler unit. The cartridge brings a substance to be vaporized in contact with a wick. When the unit is activated, and the user provides suction, the substance to be vaporized is drawn out of the cartridge, through the wick, and is atomized by the wick into a cavity containing a heating element. The heating element vaporizes the atomized substance. The vapors then continue to be pulled by the user through a mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover where they may be inhaled. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cartridge for a vapor inhaling unit, the cartridge comprising: a cartridge body defining a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the distal end defining a cartridge connector for connecting to a control body; a reservoir contained within the cartridge body for holding a liquid to be vaporized; an atomizer coupled to the reservoir, the reservoir providing the liquid to the atomizer for vaporization by the atomizer to form a vaporized substance; and an air passageway defined between the cartridge body and the reservoir for passage of air drawn into the vapor inhaling unit and the vaporized substance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a porous ceramic element, a first portion of the porous ceramic element defining the reservoir, the porous ceramic element being fluidly coupled to the atomizer to deliver the liquid from the portion defining the reservoir to the atomizer, wherein the atomizer is attached to a second portion of the porous ceramic element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece defined at the proximal end of the cartridge body and arranged to receive the air and the vaporized substance from the air passageway. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a transport element arranged between the reservoir and the atomizer and configured to transport the liquid from the reservoir to the atomizer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is inserted into the cartridge body through the distal end thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a control element arranged in the cartridge body and proximate to the cartridge connector, the control element being in electrical communication with the control body and the atomizer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the control element comprises a microprocessor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, further defining at least one contact on the cartridge connector for electrically connecting the cartridge body with the control body of the vapor inhaling unit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising an atomizer housing retaining the atomizer therein and being at least partially inserted into the cartridge body through the distal end thereof, such that the atomizer housing is at least partially contained within the cartridge body. ### Claim 10 A vapor inhaling unit comprising: a control body including a power source; a cartridge body defining a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the distal end defining a cartridge connector for connecting to the control body; a reservoir contained within the cartridge body for holding a liquid to be vaporized; an atomizer coupled to the reservoir, the reservoir providing the liquid to the atomizer for vaporization by the atomizer to form a vaporized substance in response to power received from the power source; and an air passageway defined between the cartridge body and the reservoir for passage of air drawn into the vapor inhaling unit and the vaporized substance. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vapor inhaling unit of claim 10, further comprising an indicator configured to output a status of the vapor inhaling unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The vapor inhaling unit of claim 10, further comprising a porous ceramic element, a first portion of the porous ceramic element defining the reservoir, the porous ceramic element being fluidly coupled to the atomizer to deliver the liquid from the portion defining the reservoir to the atomizer, wherein the atomizer is attached to a second portion of the porous ceramic element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The vapor inhaling unit of claim 10, further comprising a mouthpiece defined at the proximal end of the cartridge body and arranged to receive the air and the vaporized substance from the air passageway. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The vapor inhaling unit of claim 10, further comprising a transport element arranged between the reservoir and the atomizer and configured to transport the liquid from the reservoir to the atomizer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The vapor inhaling unit of claim 10, wherein the reservoir is inserted into the cartridge body through the distal end thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The vapor inhaling unit of claim 10, further comprising a control element arranged in the cartridge body and proximate to the cartridge connector, the control element being in electrical communication with the control body and the atomizer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The vapor inhaling unit of claim 10, further defining at least one contact on the cartridge connector for electrically connecting the cartridge body with the control body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) A kit comprising packaging containing at least: a control body according to claim 10; and a charging component configured to engage the control body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The kit according to claim 18, the packaging containing at least one cartridge body defining a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the distal end defining a cartridge connector for connecting to the control body. ### Claim 20 A cartridge for a vapor inhaling unit, the cartridge comprising: a cartridge body defining a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the distal end defining a cartridge connector for connecting to a control body; a reservoir contained within the cartridge body for holding a liquid to be vaporized; an atomizer coupled to the reservoir, the reservoir providing the liquid to the atomizer for vaporization by the atomizer to form a vaporized substance; and a porous ceramic element, a first portion of the porous ceramic element defining the reservoir, the porous ceramic element being fluidly coupled to the atomizer to deliver the liquid from the portion defining the reservoir to the atomizer, wherein the atomizer is attached to a second portion of the porous ceramic element. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising an atomizer housing retaining the atomizer therein and being at least partially inserted into the cartridge body through the distal end thereof, such that the atomizer housing is at least partially contained within the cartridge body. ### Claim 22 A vapor inhaling unit comprising: a control body including a power source; a cartridge body defining a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the distal end defining a cartridge connector for connecting to the control body; a reservoir contained within the cartridge body for holding a liquid to be vaporized; an atomizer coupled to the reservoir, the reservoir providing the liquid to the atomizer for vaporization by the atomizer to form a vaporized substance in response to power received from the power source; and a porous ceramic element, a first portion of the porous ceramic element defining the reservoir, the porous ceramic element being fluidly coupled to the atomizer to deliver the liquid from the portion defining the reservoir to the atomizer, wherein the atomizer is attached to a second portion of the porous ceramic element. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The vapor inhaling unit of claim 22, further comprising an atomizer housing retaining the atomizer therein and being at least partially inserted into the cartridge body through the distal end thereof, such that the atomizer housing is at least partially contained within the cartridge body.