Evaporator device for an inhaler, and method for producing an inhaler

A vaporizer device for an inhaler, comprising:

• a vaporizer film, wherein the vaporizer film comprises a layer system with a polymer film and at least one metal foil, wherein the at least one metal foil makes surface contact with the polymer film and is designed as a heating element,
• a liquid reservoir, and
• a wick structure, which is arranged to supply the vaporizer film with liquid from the liquid reservoir,
• wherein the vaporizer film comprises at least one first receiving opening for receiving the liquid and at least one dispensing opening for dispensing vaporized liquid,
• wherein the vaporizer film is in contact with the wick structure via a base surface,
• wherein the vaporizer film forms at least one supply channel, via which the at least one first receiving opening can be supplied with the liquid from the wick structure, and
• wherein the base surface is a partial shell surface of a cylinder.

A method for manufacturing a vaporizer device,

• wherein the vaporizer device comprises a vaporizer film arranged on a support element, a liquid reservoir, and a wick structure that is arranged to supply the vaporizer film with liquid from the liquid reservoir,
• wherein the vaporizer film forms at least one supply channel, with which the vaporizer film can be supplied via the wick structure with the liquid to be vaporized from the liquid reservoir,
• wherein the supply channel is formed by a fold of the vaporizer film,
• wherein the vaporizer film comprises at least one first receiving opening for receiving the liquid and at least one dispensing opening for dispensing vaporized liquid,
• wherein the vaporizer film is in contact with the wick structure via a base surface,
• wherein the vaporizer film is arranged on an upper side of the support element and the liquid reservoir is arranged on a lower side of the support element,
• wherein the vaporizer device comprises an opening for receiving the wick structure,
• wherein the opening, for receiving the wick structure, fluidically connects the upper side of the support element to the lower side of the support element, and
• wherein the method comprises the following steps:
• a) providing a base material for manufacture of the vaporizer film comprising a substrate of polyimide with a copper lamination applied thereto on one side;
• b) patterning the copper lamination by an etching process so that a copper pattern is formed on the substrate;
• c) applying a polyimide cover layer to a side of the substrate with the copper pattern;
• d) creating a passage opening through which an upper side of the vaporizer film is fluidically connectable to a lower side of the vaporizer film via a laser;
• e) incising a folding edge via a laser so that an incision is formed;
• f) folding the vaporizer film along the incised folding edge;
• and
• g) joining the folded vaporizer film to the support element.