CPC A24F 40/46 (2020.01) [A24F 40/30 (2020.01); A24F 40/44 (2020.01); A24F 40/485 (2020.01); A24F 40/10 (2020.01); A24F 40/20 (2020.01)] | 16 Claims |
1. A micro-vaporizer comprising:
a main body casing having a casing wall defining a case interior;
a vaporization chamber within the case interior, the vaporization chamber being defined at least in part by the casing wall and a distal chamber wall;
an air flow passage configured to provide fluid communication between a first environment external to the main body casing and the vaporization chamber;
a vaporization products exhaust passage configured to provide fluid communication between a second environment external to the main body casing and the vaporization chamber;
at least one heating element disposed within the vaporization chamber;
a fluid reservoir disposed within the case interior separate from the vaporization chamber, the fluid reservoir being configured for disposition of vaporizable liquid therein;
a fluid transport material at least partially disposed within the vaporization chamber, the fluid transport material having a vaporization surface portion positioned adjacent a first surface of the at least one heating element and being configured for drawing a vaporizable liquid to the vaporization surface for exposure to the first surface of the at least one heating element;
a fluid transport structure configured for transporting vaporizable liquid from the fluid reservoir into the vaporization chamber, the fluid transport structure including a first wick comprising at least a portion of the fluid transport material and having a first wick intake surface positioned so as to contact vaporizable liquid within the reservoir and a first wick exit surface that is or includes at least a portion of the vaporization surface portion of the fluid transport material;
an active material substrate disposed within the vaporization chamber, the active material substrate having an active surface portion positioned adjacent a second surface of the at least one heating element; and
a power source connected to the at least one heating element for selective powering and activation thereof,
wherein the first wick is formed as a cylindrical structure extending into the vaporization chamber and the at least one heating element comprises a coil element positioned to surround at least a portion of the first wick, and
wherein the active material substrate is formed around a circumferential surface of the first wick along a portion of its length so that the coil element surrounds the active material substrate.
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