Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FLAVOR ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRONIC VAPING DEVICE
The present disclosure relates to an electronic vaping or e-vaping device, a
cartridges for
an e-vaping device, a flavor assembly and a flavor assembly module for an e-
vaping device.
E-vaping devices, also referred to herein as electronic vaping devices (EVDs)
may be
used by adult vapers for portable vaping. Flavored vapors within an e-vaping
device may be
used to deliver a pleasurable flavor along with the vapor that may be produced
by the e-vaping
device. The flavored vapors may be delivered via a flavor system.
In some cases, a loss of flavoring in a flavored vapor from a flavor system
may occur
when the flavor system is exposed to a heat source. In some cases, a loss of
flavoring in a
flavored vapor may occur as a result of chemical reactions between the flavor
system and
vapors when the vapors are at a sufficiently high temperature.
Such a loss of flavoring from a flavoring system may reduce a sensory
experience
provided by an e-vaping device in which the flavoring system is included.
According to some example embodiments, a cartridge for an electronic vaping
device
(EVD) includes a vaporizer assembly and a flavor assembly. The vaporizer
assembly may form
a raw vapor. The flavor assembly may be removably coupled to the vaporizer
assembly such
that the flavor assembly is in flow communication with the vaporizer assembly.
The flavor
assembly may enclose a porous structure. The porous structure may hold at
least one
flavorant. The flavor assembly may be configured to form a flavored vapor
based on elution of
the at least one flavorant into the raw vapor. The elution may be based on the
raw vapor
passing through the porous structure.
In some example embodiments, the porous structure may include a three-
dimensional
(3D) network of material. The material may be substantially inert with respect
to the raw vapor.
The material may be at least partially infused with the at least one
flavorant. The material may
include at least one botanical substance, the at least one botanical substance
including the at
least one flavorant.
In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly may include a reservoir and
the
porous structure may include a wicking material. The reservoir may be
configured to hold the at
least one flavorant. The wicking material may be configured to draw the at
least one flavorant
from the reservoir.
In some example embodiments, the reservoir may be a hollow cylinder having an
inner
surface, and the porous structure may extend along the inner surface of the
reservoir.
According to some example embodiments, a flavor assembly includes a porous
structure
that may be configured to be removably coupled to a vaporizer assembly. The
porous structure
may be configured to form a flavored vapor based on elution of a flavorant
into a raw vapor
passing from the vaporizer assembly through the porous structure. The porous
structure may
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include a three-dimensional (3D) network of material and at least one
flavorant held in flow
communication with an external environment of the flavor assembly by the 3D
network of
material. The material may be substantially inert respective to the raw vapor.
In some example embodiments, the material may be at least partially infused
with the at
least one flavorant. The material may include at least one botanical
substance, the at least one
botanical substance including the at least one flavorant.
In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly may include a reservoir
configured to
hold the at least one flavorant. The porous structure may include a wicking
material configured
to draw the at least one flavorant from the reservoir.
In some example embodiments, the reservoir may be a hollow cylinder having an
inner
surface, and the porous structure may extend along the inner surface of the
reservoir.
In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly may be configured to be
removably
inserted into a flavor assembly compartment of an e-vaping device such that
the flavor
assembly is held in flow communication with a vaporizer assembly of the e-
vaping device. The
porous structure may be configured to direct raw vapors formed by the
vaporizer assembly
through the 3D network of material, such that the at least one flavorant is
eluted from the 3D
network of material and into the raw vapors to form flavored vapors.
According to some example embodiments, a flavor assembly module for an
electronic
vaping device (EVD) includes an interface, a flavor assembly compartment, and
a conduit
extending between the interface and the flavor assembly compartment. The
interface may be
configured to removably couple with a vaporizer assembly. The flavor assembly
compartment
may be configured to hold a flavor assembly. The conduit may be configured to
direct raw
vapor from the vapor assembly to the flavor assembly compartment. The flavor
assembly
compartment may be configured to direct the raw vapor received from the
conduit to pass
through the flavor assembly, such that the raw vapor elutes at least one
flavorant from the flavor
assembly to form a flavored vapor.
In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly compartment may be configured
to
removably receive the flavor assembly.
According to some example embodiments, an e-vaping device includes a vaporizer
assembly holding a vaporizer assembly, a flavor assembly compartment holding a
flavor
assembly in flow communication with the vaporizer assembly, and a power supply
section
configured to selectively supply power to the vaporizer assembly. The
vaporizer assembly may
be configured to form a raw vapor. The flavor assembly may enclose a porous
structure holding
at least one flavorant. The flavor assembly compartment may be configured to
direct the raw
vapor through the flavor assembly, such that the raw vapor elutes the at least
one flavorant from
the porous structure to form a flavored vapor.
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In some example embodiments, the porous structure may include a three-
dimensional
(3D) network of material. The material may be substantially inert with respect
to the raw vapor.
The material may be at least partially infused with the at least one
flavorant. The material may
include at least one botanical substance, the at least one botanical substance
including the at
least one flavorant.
In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly may include a reservoir and
the
porous structure may include a wicking material. The reservoir may be
configured to hold the at
least one flavorant. The wicking material may be configured to draw the at
least one flavorant
from the reservoir.
In some example embodiments, the e-vaping device may further include a
partition
between the flavor assembly compartment and the vaporizer assembly
compartment. The
partition may include a conduit. The conduit may extend through the partition
and may be in
flow communication with both the flavor assembly compartment and the vaporizer
assembly
compartment.
In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly compartment may be configured
to
removably receive the flavor assembly.
In some example embodiments, the vaporizer assembly compartment may be
configured
to removably receive the vaporizer assembly.
The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein may
become more apparent upon review of the detailed description in conjunction
with the
accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are merely provided for
illustrative
purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The
accompanying
drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted.
For purposes of
clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have been exaggerated.
FIG. 1A is a side view of an e-vaping device according to some example
embodiments.
FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line IB-IB of the e-vaping device of
FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flavor assembly according to some example
embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a porous structure for a flavor assembly
according to some
example embodiments.
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a flavor assembly module and a vaporizer
assembly
module according to some example embodiments.
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge formed via a coupling of a
flavor assembly
module and a vaporizer assembly module according to some example embodiments.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an e-vaping device according to some
example
embodiments.
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Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific
structural
and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes
of describing
example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many
alternate
forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments
set forth herein.
Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications
and
alternative forms, example embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in
the drawings
and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that
there is no intent to
limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to the
contrary, example
embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
falling within the
scope of example embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout
the description
of the figures.
It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being
"on,"
"connected to," "coupled to," or "covering" another element or layer, it may
be directly on,
connected to, coupled to, or covering the other element or layer or
intervening elements or
layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on,"
"directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer,
there are no
intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout the
specification.
It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, and so
forth may be
used herein to describe various elements, regions, layers or sections, these
elements, regions,
layers, or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only
used to
distinguish one element, region, layer, or section from another element,
region, layer, or section.
Therefore, a first element, region, layer, or section discussed below could be
termed a second
element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of
example
embodiments.
Spatially relative terms (for example, "beneath," "below," "lower," "above,"
"upper," and
the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element
or feature's
relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It
should be understood
that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different
orientations of the device in
use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For
example, if the device
in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath"
other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features.
Therefore, the term
"below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may
be otherwise
oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially
relative descriptors used
herein interpreted accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various example
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As
used herein,
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the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural
forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the
terms "includes,"
"including," "comprises," and "comprising," when used in this specification,
specify the presence
of stated features, integers, steps, operations, or elements, but do not
preclude the presence or
5 addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,
elements, and groups
thereof.
Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional
illustrations
that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate
structures) of
example embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations
as a result, for
example, of manufacturing techniques or tolerances, are to be expected.
Therefore, example
embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions
illustrated herein but
are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from
manufacturing.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms)
used herein
have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art to which
example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms,
including those defined
in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that
is consistent
with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or
overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
FIG. 1A is a side view of an e-vaping device 10 according to some example
embodiments.
FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line IB-IB of the e-vaping device of
FIG. 1A. The e-
vaping device 10 may include one or more of the features set forth in U.S.
Patent Application
Publication No. 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al. filed January 31, 2013 and U.S.
Patent
Application Publication No. 2013/0192619 to Tucker et al. filed January 14,
2013, the entire
contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. As
used herein, the
term "e-vaping device" is inclusive of all types of electronic vaping devices,
regardless of form,
size or shape.
Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, an e-vaping device 10 includes a replaceable
cartridge
(or first section) 70 and a reusable power supply section (or second section)
72. The sections
70, 72 may be coupled together at complimentary interfaces 74, 84 of the
respective sections
70, 72.
In some example embodiments, the interfaces 74, 84 are threaded connectors. It
should
be appreciated that an interface 74, 84 may be any type of connector,
including, without
limitation, a snug-fit, detent, clamp, bayonet, clasp and combinations
thereof. One or more of
the interfaces 74, 84 may include a cathode connector, anode connector, some
combination
thereof, and so forth to electrically couple one or more elements of the
cartridge 70 to one or
more power supplies 12 in the power supply section 72 when the interfaces 74,
84 are coupled
together. As shown in FIG. 1B, for example, interface 74 includes a connector
element 91
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configured to electrically couple at least one of the leads 26-1, 26-2 to the
heater 24 to the
power supply 12 when interfaces 74, 84 are coupled together.
As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG.1B, in some example embodiments, an outlet end
insert 19
may be positioned at an outlet end of the cartridge 70. The outlet end insert
19 includes at least
one outlet port 21 that may be located off-axis from the longitudinal axis of
the e-vaping device
10. One or more of the outlet ports 21 may be angled outwardly in relation to
the longitudinal
axis of the e-vaping device 10. Multiple outlet ports 21 may be uniformly or
substantially
uniformly distributed about the perimeter of the outlet end insert 19 so as to
substantially
uniformly distribute vapor drawn through the outlet end insert 19 during
vaping. Therefore, as a
vapor is drawn through the outlet end insert 19, the vapor may move in
different directions.
The cartridge 70 includes an outer housing 16 extending in a longitudinal
direction and an
inner tube 62 coaxially positioned within the outer housing 16. The power
supply section 72
includes an outer housing 17 extending in a longitudinal direction. In some
example
embodiments, the outer housing 16 may be a single tube housing both the
cartridge 70 and the
power supply section 72 and the entire e-vaping device 10 may be disposable.
The outer
housing 16 may have a generally cylindrical cross-section. In some example
embodiments, the
outer housing 16 may have a generally triangular cross-section along one or
more of the
cartridge 70 and the power supply section 72. In some example embodiments, the
outer
housing 16 may have a greater circumference or dimensions at a tip end than at
an outlet end
of the e-vaping device 10.
The cartridge 70 includes a vaporizer assembly 22 and a flavor assembly 14.
The
vaporizer assembly 22 may form a raw vapor, and the flavor assembly 14 may
form a flavored
vapor based on elution of one or more volatile flavor substances into the raw
vapor formed by
the vaporizer assembly 22.
The vaporizer assembly 22 may include inner tube 62, gasket 15, gasket 27, a
reservoir
23 configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation, a dispensing interface 25
configured to draw pre-
vapor formulation from the reservoir 23, and a heater 24 configured to
vaporize the drawn pre-
vapor formulation.
At one end of the inner tube 62, a nose portion 29 of gasket (or seal) 15 is
fitted into an
end portion of the inner tube 62. An outer perimeter of the gasket 15 may
provide a
substantially airtight seal with an interior surface of the outer housing 16.
The gasket 15
includes a longitudinal passage 64 that opens into an interior of the inner
tube 62 that defines a
channel 20. A space 35 at a backside portion of the gasket 15 assures
communication between
the passage 64 and one or more air inlet ports 44 located between the gasket
15 and a
connector element 91. The connector element 91 may be included in the
interface 74.
In some example embodiments, a nose portion 18 of gasket 27 is fitted into
another end
portion of the inner tube 62. An outer perimeter of the gasket 27 may provide
a substantially
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airtight seal with an interior surface of the outer housing 16. The gasket 27
includes a passage
63 disposed between the channel 20 of the inner tube 62 and the interior of an
outlet end insert
19. The central passage 63 may transport a vapor from the central channel 20
to the outlet end
insert 19 via the flavor assembly 14.
In some example embodiments, at least one air inlet port 44 may be formed in
the outer
housing 16, adjacent to the interface 74 to minimize the probability of an
adult vaper's fingers
occluding one of the ports and to control the resistance-to-draw (RTD) during
vaping. In some
example embodiments, the air inlet ports 44 may be machined into the outer
housing 16 with
precision tooling such that their diameters are closely controlled and
replicated from one e-
vaping device 10 to the next during manufacture.
In some example embodiments, the air inlet ports 44 may be drilled with
carbide drill bits
or other high-precision tools or techniques. In some example embodiments, the
outer housing
16 may be formed of metal or metal alloys such that the size and shape of the
air inlet ports 44
may not be altered during manufacturing operations, packaging, and vaping.
Therefore, the air
inlet ports 44 may provide consistent RTD. In some example embodiments, the
air inlet ports
44 may be sized and configured such that the e-vaping device 10 has a RTD in
the range of
from about 60 millimetres of water to about 150 millimetres of water.
Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the reservoir 23 may include a pre-
vapor
formulation. The space defined between the gaskets 27 and 15, the outer
housing 16 and the
inner tube 62 may establish the confines of the reservoir 23, such that the
reservoir 23 may be
contained in an outer annulus between the inner tube 62, the outer housing 16
and the gaskets
27 and 15. Therefore, the reservoir 23 may at least partially surround the
channel 20.
The dispensing interface 25 is coupled to the reservoir 23, such that the
dispensing
interface 25 may extend transversely across the channel 20 between opposing
portions of the
reservoir 23. The dispensing interface 25 is configured to draw pre-vapor
formulation from the
reservoir 23.
The heater 24 is coupled to the dispensing interface 25 and is configured to
generate
heat. As shown in the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, the heater 24
may extend
transversely across the channel 20 between opposing portions of the reservoir
23. In some
example embodiments, the heater 24 may extend parallel to a longitudinal axis
of the central
channel 20.
The dispensing interface 25 is configured to draw pre-vapor formulation from
the reservoir
23, such that the pre-vapor formulation may be vaporized from the dispensing
interface 25
based on heating of the dispensing interface 25 by the heater 24.
During vaping, pre-vapor formulation may be transferred from at least one of
the reservoir
23 and storage medium in the proximity of the heater 24 via capillary action
of a dispensing
interface 25. The dispensing interface 25 may include a first end portion and
a second end
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portion. The first and second end portions of the dispensing interface 25 may
extend into
opposite sides of the reservoir 23. Dispensing interface 25 end portions may
be referred to
herein as roots. The heater 24 may at least partially surround a central
portion of the
dispensing interface 25 such that when the heater 24 is activated to generate
heat, the pre-
vapor formulation in the central portion of the dispensing interface 25 may be
vaporized by the
heater 24 to form a vapor. The central portion of a dispensing interface 25
may be referred to
herein as a trunk.
The reservoir 23 may include a pre-vapor formulation which is free of
flavorants, such that
when the vaporizer assembly 22 forms a vapor 95, via vaporization of a pre-
vapor formulation
by the heater 24, the vapor 95 may be substantially absent of flavor, thereby
being a "raw
vapor." Such an absence of flavorants in the reservoir 23 of the vaporizer
assembly 22 may
result in mitigation of chemical reactions between pre-vapor formulation
materials and the
flavorants in the reservoir 23 and upon vaporization as a result of heating of
the pre-vapor
formulation by the heater 24.
Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the flavor assembly 14 is positioned
between the
vaporizer assembly 22 and the outlet end insert 19. The flavor assembly 14 is
configured to
form a flavored vapor 97 based on elution of a flavorant into a raw vapor 95
formed by the
vaporizer assembly 22.
The flavor assembly 14 is positioned in flow communication with both the
vaporizer
assembly 22 and the outlet end insert 19. The cartridge 70 may be configured
to direct raw
vapors 95 formed by the vaporizer assembly 22 to exit the cartridge 70 via the
outlets 21. The
cartridge 70 may further be configured to direct the raw vapors 95 to pass in
flow
communication with the flavor assembly 14 towards the outlets 21.
Passing in flow
communication with the flavor assembly 14 may include passing through at least
a portion of
the flavor assembly 14.
The flavor assembly 14, as discussed further below, may include a porous
structure. The
porous structure may hold a flavorant in flow communication with the vaporizer
assembly 22, so
that raw vapors 95 formed by the vaporizer assembly 22 and passing through the
flavor
assembly 14 may pass at least partially through the porous structure and in
flow communication
with the flavorants held by the porous structure. The raw vapor 95 may act as
an eluent, eluting
the flavorant from the porous structure and into the raw vapor 95 to form an
eluate. The eluate
may include the raw vapor and the flavorant. Such an eluate may be referred to
as the flavored
vapor 97.
In some example embodiments, the flavorants eluted into the raw vapor 95 are
in a
particulate phase. A particulate phase may include a liquid phase, solid
phase, or the like. In
some example embodiments, the flavorants eluted into the raw vapor 95 are in a
vapor phase,
gas phase, and so forth. A flavorant may include a volatile flavor substance,
and the volatile
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flavor substance may be eluted into the raw vapor 95. In some example
embodiments, a
flavorant eluted into the raw vapor 95 includes a nonvolatile flavor
substance.
In some example embodiments, when the flavor assembly 14 holds the flavorant
separate
from the vaporizer assembly 22 and the cartridge 70 is configured to direct
raw vapors through
the flavor assembly 14 subsequent to formation of the raw vapor 95, the raw
vapor 95 may be
cooled from an initial temperature at formation in the vaporizer assembly 22.
Where the raw
vapor 95 passing through the flavor assembly 14 is cooled from the initial
temperature, chemical
reactions between the flavorants eluted into the raw vapor 95 and the elements
of the raw vapor
95 may be at least partially mitigated, thereby mitigating a loss of desired
flavor in the flavored
vapor 97.
In some example embodiments, when the e-vaping device 10 includes a flavor
assembly
14 that holds a flavorant separate from the vaporizer assembly 22, the e-
vaping device 10 may
be configured to mitigate a probability of chemical reactions between the
flavorant and one or
more elements of the vaporizer assembly 22. An absence of such chemical
reactions may
result in an absence of reaction products in the flavored vapor 97. Such
reaction products may
detract from a sensory experience provided by the flavored vapor 97. As a
result, an e-vaping
device 10 that is configured to mitigate the probability of such chemical
reactions may provide a
more consistent and improved sensory experience through the flavored vapor 97.
In some example embodiments, a flavor assembly 14 is configured to cool a raw
vapor 95
passing through the flavor assembly 14. The flavor assembly 14 may cool a raw
vaper 95
based on heat transfer from the raw vapor 95 to at least one of the flavorant
eluted into the raw
vapor 95 and a material included in the flavor assembly 14. In some example
embodiments,
the transfer of heat from a raw vapor 95 into at least one of the flavorant
and a material included
in the flavor assembly 14 increases the amount of flavorant eluted into the
raw vapor 95. A
flavored vapor 97 having an increased amount of eluted flavorant may provide
an improved
sensory experience. In some example embodiments, a flavored vapor 97 exiting
the flavor
assembly 14 may be cooler than a raw vapor 95 entering the flavor assembly 14.
A flavored
vapor 97 that is cooler than the raw vapor entering the flavor assembly 14 may
provide an
improved sensory experience based on the reduced temperature of the flavored
vapor 97.
In some example embodiments, the flavorants included in an e-vaping device 10
may be
replaceable independently of the pre-vapor formulation in the cartridge 70, as
the flavorants are
included in a flavor assembly 14 that is separate from the vaporizer assembly
22 in which the
pre-vapor formulation is included. The flavor assembly 14 may be replaced with
another flavor
assembly 14 to swap the flavorant included in the e-vaping device 10 as
desired by an adult
vaper. The flavor assembly 14 may be replaced with another flavor assembly 14
to replenish
flavorants in the e-vaping device 10 without replacing a vaporizer assembly
22, where the
vaporizer assembly 22 may include sufficient pre-vapor formulation to support
additional vaping.
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Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the cartridge 70 includes a connector
element 91
configured to at least partially establish electrical connections between
elements in the cartridge
70 with one or more elements in the power supply section 72. In some example
embodiments,
the connector element 91 includes an electrode element configured to
electrically couple at
5 least one electrical lead to the power supply 12 in the power supply
section when interfaces 74,
84 are coupled together. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A and
FIG. 1B, for
example, electrical lead 26-1 is coupled to connector element 91. An electrode
element may be
one or more of a cathode connector element and an anode connector element.
When
interfaces 74, 84 are coupled together, the connector element 91 may be
coupled with at least
10 one portion of the power supply 12, as shown in FIG. 1B.
In some example embodiments, one or more of the interfaces 74, 84 include one
or more
of a cathode connector element and an anode connector element. In the example
embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1B, for example, electrical lead 26-2 is coupled to the
interface 74. As further
shown in FIG. 1B, the power supply section 72 includes a lead 92 that couples
the control
circuitry 11 to the interface 84. When interfaces 74, 84 are coupled together,
the coupled
interfaces 74, 84 may electrically couple leads 26-2 and 92 together.
When an element in the cartridge 70 is coupled to both leads 26-1 and 26-2, an
electrical
circuit through the cartridge 70 and power supply section 72 may be
established. The
established electrical circuit may include at least the element in the
cartridge 70, control circuitry
11, and the power supply 12. The electrical circuit may include leads 26-1 and
26-2, lead 92,
and interfaces 74, 84.
In the example embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, heater 24 is
coupled to
interface 74 and connector element 91, such that the heater 24 may be
electrically coupled to
the power supply 12 via interface 74 and connector element 91 when interfaces
74, 84 are
coupled together.
The control circuitry 11, described further below, is configured to be coupled
to the power
supply 12, such that the control circuitry 11 may control the supply of
electrical power from the
power supply 12 to one or more elements of the cartridge 70. The control
circuitry 11 may
control the supply of electrical power to the element based on controlling the
established
electrical circuit. For example, the control circuitry 11 may selectively open
or close the
electrical circuit, adjustably control an electrical current through the
circuit, and so forth.
Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the power supply section 72 includes a
sensor 13
responsive to air drawn into the power supply section 72 via an air inlet port
44a adjacent to a
free end or tip end of the e-vaping device 10, at least one power supply 12,
and control circuitry
11. The power supply 12 may include a rechargeable battery. The sensor 13 may
be one or
more of a pressure sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, and
so forth.
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In some example embodiments, the power supply 12 includes a battery arranged
in the e-
vaping device 10 such that the anode is downstream of the cathode. A connector
element 91
contacts the downstream end of the battery.
The power supply 12 may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for
example a
Lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power supply 12 may be a
nickel-metal hydride
battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a lithium-manganese battery, a lithium-
cobalt battery or a fuel
cell. The e-vaping device 10 may be usable by an adult vaper until the energy
in the power
supply 12 is depleted or in the case of lithium polymer battery, a minimum
voltage cut-off level is
achieved.
Further, the power supply 12 may be rechargeable and may include circuitry
configured to
allow the battery to be chargeable by an external charging device. To recharge
the e-vaping
device 10, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) charger or other suitable charger
assembly may be
used.
Upon completing the connection between the cartridge 70 and the power supply
section
72, the at least one power supply 12 may be electrically connected with the
heater 24 of the
cartridge 70 upon actuation of the sensor 13. Air is drawn primarily into the
cartridge 70 through
one or more air inlet ports 44. The one or more air inlet ports 44 may be
located along the outer
housing 16, 17 of the first and second sections 70, 72 or at one or more of
the coupled
interfaces 74, 84.
The sensor 13 may be configured to sense an air pressure drop and initiate
application of
voltage from the power supply 12 to the heater 24. As shown in the example
embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1B, some example embodiments of the power supply section
72 include a
heater activation light 48 configured to glow when the heater 24 is activated.
The heater
activation light 48 may include a light emitting diode (LED). Moreover, the
heater activation light
48 may be arranged to be visible to an adult vaper during vaping. In addition,
the heater
activation light 48 may be utilized for e-vaping system diagnostics or to
indicate that recharging
is in progress. The heater activation light 48 may also be configured such
that the adult vaper
may activate, deactivate, or activate and deactivate the heater activation
light 48 for privacy. As
shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the heater activation light 48 may be located on
the tip end of
the e-vaping device 10. In some example embodiments, the heater activation
light 48 may be
located on a side portion of the outer housing 17.
In addition, the at least one air inlet port 44a may be located adjacent to
the sensor 13,
such that the sensor 13 may sense air flow indicative of vapor being drawn
through the outlet
end of the e-vaping device. The sensor 13 may activate the power supply 12 and
the heater
activation light 48 to indicate that the heater 24 is activated.
Further, the control circuitry 11 may control the supply of electrical power
to the heater 24
responsive to the sensor 13. In some example embodiments, the control
circuitry 11 may
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include a maximum, time-period limiter. In some example embodiments, the
control circuitry 11
may include a manually operable switch for an adult vaper to manually initiate
vaping. The
time-period of the electric current supply to the heater 24 may be pre-set
depending on the
amount of pre-vapor formulation desired to be vaporized. In some example
embodiments, the
control circuitry 11 may control the supply of electrical power to the heater
24 as long as the
sensor 13 detects a pressure drop.
To control the supply of electrical power to a heater 24, the control
circuitry 11 may
execute one or more instances of computer-executable program code. The control
circuitry 11
may include a processor and a memory. The memory may be a computer-readable
storage
medium storing computer-executable code.
The control circuitry 11 may include processing circuity including, but not
limited to, a
processor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), a controller, an arithmetic logic
unit (ALU), a digital
signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a
System-on-Chip
(SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, or any other device
capable of responding
to and executing instructions in a defined manner. In some example
embodiments, the control
circuitry 11 may be at least one of an application-specific integrated circuit
(ASIC) and an ASIC
chip.
The control circuitry 11 may be configured as a special purpose machine by
executing
computer-readable program code stored on a storage device. The program code
may include
program or computer-readable instructions, software elements, software
modules, data files,
data structures, and the like, capable of being implemented by one or more
hardware devices,
such as one or more of the control circuitry mentioned above. Examples of
program code
include both machine code produced by a compiler and higher level program code
that is
executed using an interpreter.
The control circuitry 11 may include one or more storage devices. The one or
more
storage devices may be tangible or non-transitory computer-readable storage
media, such as
random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a permanent mass storage
device
(such as a disk drive), solid state (for example, NAND flash) device, or any
other like data
storage mechanism capable of storing and recording data. The one or more
storage devices
may be configured to store computer programs, program code, instructions, or
some
combination thereof, for one or more operating systems, for implementing the
example
embodiments described herein, or both. The computer programs, program code,
instructions, or
some combination thereof, may also be loaded from a separate computer readable
storage
medium into the one or more storage devices, one or more computer processing
devices, or
both, using a drive mechanism. Such separate computer readable storage medium
may include
a USB flash drive, a memory stick, a Blu-ray/DVD/CD-ROM drive, a memory card,
or other like
computer readable storage media. The computer programs, program code,
instructions, or
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some combination thereof, may be loaded into the one or more storage devices,
the one or
more computer processing devices, or both, from a remote data storage device
via a network
interface, rather than via a local computer readable storage medium.
Additionally, the computer
programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, may be
loaded into the one
or more storage devices, the one or more processors, or both, from a remote
computing system
that is configured to transfer, distribute, or transfer and distribute the
computer programs,
program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, over a network. The
remote
computing system may transfer, distribute, or transfer and distribute the
computer programs,
program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, via a wired
interface, an air interface,
or any other like medium.
The control circuitry 11 may be a special purpose machine configured to
execute the
computer-executable code to control the supply of electrical power to the
heater 24. Controlling
the supply of electrical power to the heater 24 may be referred to herein
interchangeably as
activating the heater 24.
Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1 B, when the heater 24 is activated, the
activated heater
24 may heat a portion of a dispensing interface 25 surrounded by the heater 24
for less than
about 10 seconds. Therefore, the power cycle (or maximum vaping length) may
range in period
from about 2 seconds to about 10 seconds (for example, about 3 seconds to
about 9 seconds,
about 4 seconds to about 8 seconds or about 5 seconds to about 7 seconds).
The pre-vapor formulation is a material or combination of materials that may
be
transformed into a vapor. For example, the pre-vapor formulation may be at
least one of a
liquid, solid or gel formulation including, but not limited to, water, beads,
solvents, active
ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural or artificial flavors, pre-vapor
formulations such as
glycerin and propylene glycol, and combinations thereof. The pre-vapor
formulation may
include those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2015/0020823 to Lipowicz et
al. filed July 16, 2014 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2015/0313275 to Anderson et
al. filed January 21, 2015, the entire contents of each of which is
incorporated herein by
reference thereto.
In some example embodiments, the pre-vapor formulation is one or more of
propylene
glycol, glycerin and combinations thereof.
The pre-vapor formulation may include nicotine or may exclude nicotine. The
pre-vapor
formulation may include one or more tobacco flavors. The pre-vapor formulation
may include
one or more flavors which are separate from one or more tobacco flavors.
In some example embodiments, a pre-vapor formulation that includes nicotine
may also
include one or more acids. The one or more acids may be one or more of pyruvic
acid, formic
acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid, acetic acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid,
propionic acid, octanoic
acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, sorbic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid,
succinic acid, citric acid,
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benzoic acid, oleic acid, aconitic acid, butyric acid, cinnamic acid, decanoic
acid, 3,7-dimethy1-6-
octenoic acid, 1-glutamic acid, heptanoic acid, hexanoic acid, 3-hexenoic
acid, trans-2-hexenoic
acid, isobutyric acid, lauric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 2-methylvaleric
acid, myristic acid,
nonanoic acid, palmitic acid, 4-penenoic acid, phenylacetic acid, 3-
phenylpropionic acid,
hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and combinations thereof.
In some example embodiments, a raw vapor 95 formed at the vaporizer assembly
22 may
be substantially free of one or more materials being in a gas phase. For
example, the raw vapor
95 may include one or more materials substantially in a particulate phase and
substantially not
in a gas phase.
The storage medium of the reservoir 23 may be a fibrous material including at
least one of
cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon and combinations thereof. The fibers
may have a
diameter ranging in size from about 6 microns to about 15 microns (for
example, about 8
microns to about 12 microns or about 9 microns to about 11 microns). The
storage medium may
be a sintered, porous or foamed material. Also, the fibers may be sized to be
irrespirable and
may have a cross-section which has a Y-shape, cross shape, clover shape or any
other suitable
shape. In some example embodiments, the reservoir 23 may include a filled tank
lacking any
storage medium and containing only pre-vapor formulation.
The reservoir 23 may be sized and configured to hold enough pre-vapor
formulation such
that the e-vaping device 10 may be configured for vaping for at least about
200 seconds. The
e-vaping device 10 may be configured to allow each vaping to last a maximum of
about 5
seconds.
The dispensing interface 25 may include a wick. The dispensing interface 25
may include
filaments (or threads) having a capacity to draw the pre-vapor formulation.
For example, a
dispensing interface 25 may be a wick that is be a bundle of glass (or
ceramic) filaments, a
bundle including a group of windings of glass filaments, and so forth, all of
which arrangements
may be capable of drawing pre-vapor formulation via capillary action by
interstitial spacings
between the filaments. The filaments may be generally aligned in a direction
perpendicular
(transverse) to the longitudinal direction of the e-vaping device 10.
In some example
embodiments, the dispensing interface 25 may include one to eight filament
strands, each
strand comprising a plurality of glass filaments twisted together. The end
portions of the
dispensing interface 25 may be flexible and foldable into the confines of the
reservoir 23. The
filaments may have a cross-section that is generally cross-shaped, clover-
shaped, Y-shaped, or
in any other suitable shape.
The dispensing interface 25 may include any suitable material or combination
of materials,
also referred to herein as wicking materials. Examples of suitable materials
may be, but not
limited to, glass, ceramic- or graphite-based materials. The dispensing
interface 25 may have
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any suitable capillary drawing action to accommodate pre-vapor formulations
having different
physical properties such as density, viscosity, surface tension and vapor
pressure.
In some example embodiments, the heater 24 may include a wire coil which at
least
partially surrounds the dispensing interface 25 in the vaporizer assembly 22.
The wire may be a
5 metal wire. The wire coil may extend fully or partially along the length
of the dispensing
interface. The wire coil may further extend fully or partially around the
circumference of the
dispensing interface 25. In some example embodiments, the wire coil may be
isolated from
direct contact with the dispensing interface 25.
The heater 24 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive materials.
Examples of
10 suitable electrically resistive materials may include, but not limited
to, titanium, zirconium,
tantalum and metals from the platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloys
include, but not
limited to, stainless steel, nickel, cobalt, chromium, aluminum-titanium-
zirconium, hafnium,
niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese and iron-
containing alloys,
and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel. For example,
the heater 24 may
15 be formed of nickel aluminide, a material with a layer of alumina on the
surface, iron aluminide
and other composite materials, the electrically resistive material may
optionally be embedded in,
encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on
the kinetics of
energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required. The
heater 24 may
include at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless
steel, copper,
copper alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, super alloys and combinations thereof.
In some example
embodiments, the heater 24 may be formed of nickel-chromium alloys or iron-
chromium alloys.
In some example embodiments, the heater 24 may be a ceramic heater having an
electrically
resistive layer on an outside surface thereof.
The heater 24 may heat a pre-vapor formulation in the dispensing interface 25
by thermal
conduction. Alternatively, heat from the heater 24 may be conducted to the pre-
vapor
formulation by means of a heat conductive element or the heater 24 may
transfer heat to the
incoming ambient air that is drawn through the e-vaping device 10 during
vaping, which in turn
heats the pre-vapor formulation by convection.
It should be appreciated that, instead of using a dispensing interface 25, the
vaporizer
assembly 22 may include a heater 24 that is a porous material which
incorporates a resistance
heater formed of a material having a high electrical resistance capable of
generating heat
quickly.
In some example embodiments, the cartridge 70 may be replaceable. In other
words,
once one of the flavorant or the pre-vapor formulation of the cartridge is
depleted, only the
cartridge 70 may be replaced. In some example embodiments, the entire e-vaping
device 10
may be disposed once one of the reservoir 23 or the flavor assembly 14 is
depleted.
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In some example embodiments, the e-vaping device 10 may be about 80
millimetres to
about 110 millimetres long and about 7 millimetres to about 8 millimetres in
diameter. For
example, in some example embodiments, the e-vaping device 10 may be about 84
millimetres
long and may have a diameter of about 7.8 millimetres.
As used herein, the term "flavorant" is used to describe a compound or
combination of
compounds that may provide flavor, aroma, or flavor and aroma to an adult
vaper. In some
example embodiments, a flavorant is configured to interact with at least one
adult vaper sensory
receptor. A flavorant may be configured to interact with the sensory receptor
via at least one of
orthonasal stimulation and retronasal stimulation. A flavorant may include one
or more volatile
flavor substances.
The at least one flavorant may include one or more of a natural flavorant or
an artificial
("synthetic") flavorant. The at least one flavorant may include one or more
plant extract
materials. In some example embodiments, the at least one flavorant is one or
more of tobacco
flavor, menthol, wintergreen, peppermint, herb flavors, fruit flavors, nut
flavors, liquor flavors,
and combinations thereof. In some example embodiments, the flavorant is
included in a
botanical material. A botanical material may include material of one or more
plants. A botanical
material may include one or more herbs, spices, fruits, roots, leaves,
grasses, or the like. For
example, a botanical material may include orange rind material and sweetgrass
material. In
another example, a botanical material may include tobacco material. In some
example
embodiments, a flavorant that is a tobacco flavor (a "tobacco flavorant")
includes at least one of
a synthetic material and a plant extract material. A plant extract material
included in a tobacco
flavorant may be an extract from one or more tobacco materials.
In some example embodiments, a tobacco material may include material from any
member of the genus Nicotiana. In some example embodiments, the tobacco
material includes
a blend of two or more different tobacco varieties. Examples of suitable types
of tobacco
materials that may be used include, but are not limited to, flue-cured
tobacco, Burley tobacco,
Dark tobacco, Maryland tobacco, Oriental tobacco, rare tobacco, specialty
tobacco, blends
thereof and the like. The tobacco material may be provided in any suitable
form, including, but
not limited to, tobacco lamina, processed tobacco materials, such as volume
expanded or
puffed tobacco, processed tobacco stems, such as cut-rolled or cut-puffed
stems, reconstituted
tobacco materials, blends thereof, and the like. In some example embodiments,
the tobacco
material is in the form of a substantially dry tobacco mass.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flavor assembly 14 according to some example
embodiments. The flavor assembly 14 shown in FIG. 2 may be included in any of
the
embodiments included herein, including the flavor assembly 14 shown in FIG.
1B.
In some example embodiments, a flavor assembly includes a containment
structure that
encloses a porous structure in which one or more flavorants are included. The
flavorants may
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be infused in the material of the porous structure. The porous structure may
draw the flavorants
from one or more reservoirs into the porous structure. The flavor assembly may
be configured
to direct a raw vapor to pass through the porous structure to elute the
flavorants from the
porous structure and into the raw vapor to form a flavored vapor.
In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, a flavor
assembly 14
includes a containment structure 201 that at least partially encloses a porous
structure 202. In
some example embodiments, the containment structure 201 may be a bag that
includes the
porous structure 202 and one or more flavorants. The containment structure 201
may be a
porous containment structure 201. A material of the containment structure 201
(for example,
bag) may include at least one of porous aluminum, perforated aluminum foil,
nylon, filter paper,
silk, plastic, and cellulose acetate. The material of the containment
structure 201 may porous,
perforated, or porous and perforated.
The porous structure 202 may hold one or more flavorants. The porous structure
202
may be configured to enable vapors, including a raw vapor 95, to pass through
the porous
structure 202, such that the raw vapor 95 passes in flow communication with
the flavorants held
in the porous structure 202 to elute the flavorants. The porous structure 202
and the
containment structure 201 may include different materials.
In some example embodiments, encapsulating one or more flavorants in a
containment
structure 201 may enable reduction of the migration of the flavorants to other
portions of a
cartridge 70, e-vaping device 10, and so forth in which the flavor assembly 14
is included.
Therefore, in some example embodiments, by using a flavor assembly 14 to store
at least one
flavorant separate from the pre-vapor formulation in a vaporizer assembly 22,
the shelf-life of a
cartridge 70, e-vaping device 10, and so forth may be improved and the
migration of flavorants
in the cartridge 70, e-vaping device 10, and so forth may be reduced.
The flavor assembly 14 may include a reservoir 204. The reservoir 204 may hold
one or
more flavorants, and optionally a storage medium configured to store the one
or more flavorants
therein. The storage medium may include a winding of cotton gauze or other
fibrous material
about a portion of the cartridge 70 illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.
The storage medium of the reservoir 204 may be a fibrous material including at
least one
of cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon and combinations thereof. The fibers
may have a
diameter ranging in size from about 6 microns to about 15 microns (for
example, about 8
microns to about 12 microns or about 9 microns to about 11 microns). The
storage medium may
be a sintered, porous or foamed material. Also, the fibers may be sized to be
irrespirable and
may have a cross-section which has a Y-shape, cross shape, clover shape or any
other suitable
shape. In some example embodiments, the reservoir 204 may include a filled
tank lacking any
storage medium and containing only one or more flavorants.
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In some example embodiments, one or more portions of the porous structure 202
extend
into the reservoir 204 and are configured to draw the flavorants from the
reservoir and into the
porous structure 202. The porous structure 202 may include a wicking material
configured to
draw flavorant from the reservoir 204, such that the flavorant is held within
the wicking material
and may be eluted from the wicking material based on a raw vapor passing
through the porous
structure. During vaping, flavorant may be transferred from the reservoir 204,
the storage
medium, or both the reservoir 204 and the storage medium, to the porous
structure 202 via
capillary action of a wicking material of the porous structure 202.
The porous structure 202 may include filaments (or threads) configured to draw
flavorants
from the reservoir 204. For example, a porous structure 202 may include a
wicking material that
may be a bundle of glass (or ceramic) filaments, a bundle including a group of
windings of glass
filaments, and so forth, all of which arrangements may be capable of drawing
flavorant via
capillary action by interstitial spacings between the filaments. In some
example embodiments,
the wicking material may include one to eight filament strands, each strand
comprising a
plurality of glass filaments twisted together. The filaments may have a cross-
section that is
generally cross-shaped, clover-shaped, Y-shaped, or in any other suitable
shape.
The porous structure 202 may include glass, ceramic- or graphite-based
materials. In
some example embodiments, the porous structure includes material which is
substantially inert
to chemically reacting with one or more of the flavorants. In some example
embodiments, the
porous structure 202 includes material which is substantially inert to
chemically reacting with the
raw vapor. The porous structure 202 may have any suitable capillarity drawing
action to
accommodate flavorants having different physical properties such as density,
viscosity, surface
tension and vapor pressure.
In some example embodiments, the reservoir 204 is absent from the flavor
assembly 14,
and the porous structure 202 includes one or more flavorants infused into one
or more of the
materials of the porous structure 202. In some example embodiments, the porous
structure 202
includes a botanical material which includes the one or more flavorants, and
the one or more
flavorants are eluted into a raw vapor in response to the raw vapor passing in
flow
communication with the botanical material included in the porous structure
202, though the
botanical material included in the porous structure 202, etc.
In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly 14 is configured to direct a
raw vapor
95 to pass through the porous structure 202. As shown in FIG. 2, for example,
the flavor
assembly 14 may include a reservoir 204 having a tubular body, where a hollow
core 206 of the
tubular body extends longitudinally through the reservoir 204. As shown, the
flavor assembly
14 may include a tube 207 extending along the inner surface of the reservoir
204, such that an
inner surface of the tube 207 at least partially defines an outer boundary of
the hollow space
206. The tube 207 may include one or more materials configured to inhibit
permeation of
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flavorants from the reservoir 204 to the hollow space 206 through the tube
207. The tube 207
may restrict flavorants held in the reservoir 204 to being drawn into the
porous structure 202
instead of permeating directly from the reservoir 204 to a raw vapor 95
passing through the
hollow space 206.
As further shown, the porous structure 202 may extend transversely along one
end of the
reservoir 204, so that the porous structure 202 extends over one end of the
hollow core 206.
The hollow core 206 may establish a conduit through the flavor assembly 14
from a vaporizer
assembly 22 to an opening of an e-vaping device 10, such that a raw vapor 95
formed at the
vaporizer assembly 22 is directed to flow through the hollow core 206 to be
drawn through one
or more outlet ports 21 of the e-vaping device 10. Based on the porous
structure 202 extending
over an end of the hollow core 206, the raw vapor 95 may be directed to pass
through the
porous structure 202 to pass through the hollow core 206, thereby enabling
flavorants held in
the porous structure 202 to be eluted into the raw vapor 95 to form a flavored
vapor 97.
In some example embodiments, the tube 207 is absent from the flavor assembly
14 and
the porous structure 202 extends around an inner surface of the reservoir 204
in place of the
tube 207 shown in FIG. 2, such that the porous structure 202 at least
partially defines the outer
boundary of the hollow space 206. Raw vapor 95 may pass through the hollow
space 206 and
elute flavorant from the porous structure 202.
In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly 14 is configured to direct a
raw vapor
95 to pass along an outer surface of the porous structure 202. The hollow core
206 may be
absent, for example, such that the raw vapor 95 may be directed to pass,
through one or more
flow pathways 241A and 241B, along an outer surface of the porous structure
202.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a porous structure 202 for a flavor assembly
according to
some example embodiments. The porous structure 202 shown in FIG. 3 may be
included in
any of the embodiments included herein, including the porous structure 202
shown in FIG. 2.
In some example embodiments, the porous structure 202 included in a flavor
assembly
includes a three-dimensional (3D) network of material. The 3D network of the
material may
include a mesh structure of the material, a loosely-packed structure of the
material, and so forth.
The material may hold one or more flavorants within the material, on one or
more surfaces of
the material, and so forth. The material may be substantially inert to one or
more flavorants,
raw vapors, and so forth.
In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, the porous
structure 202
may include a 3D network structure of a material 310. The material 310 may be
substantially
inert to chemical reaction with one or more of the raw vapor 95, one or more
of the flavorants
320, and so forth. One or more flavorants 320 may be held by one or more
portions of the
material 310. In the illustrated example embodiment, the flavorants 320 are
held on external
surfaces of the material 310. It will be understood that, in some example
embodiments, one or
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more flavorants 320 may be held within the material 310. For example, one or
more flavorants
320 may be infused within the material 310.
As shown in FIG. 3, the porous structure 202 is permeable to a raw vapor 95.
The raw
vapor 95 may pass through the porous structure 202, such that the raw vapor 95
passes in flow
5 communication with some or all of the material 310 included in the 3D
network. For example,
the raw vapor 95 may pass in contact with at least some of the material 310.
The raw vapor 95
passing in flow communication with the material 310 may elute at least some of
the flavorants
320 held by the material 310, such that the raw vapor 95 exits the porous
structure 202 as a
flavored vapor 97 eluate, the flavored vapor 97 including the elements of the
raw vapor 95 and
10 the flavorants 320. In some example embodiments, the eluted flavorants
320 are tied to one or
more particles 332 included in the raw vapor 95. In some example embodiments,
the eluted
flavorants 320 are in a gas phase or vapor phase, independently of one or more
particles 332
included in the raw vapor 95, such that the flavored vapor 97 is a mixture of
raw vapor 95
particles 332 and flavorants 320.
15 FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a flavor assembly module 410 and a
vaporizer
assembly module 420 according to some example embodiments. FIG. 4B is a cross-
sectional
view of a cartridge formed via a coupling of a flavor assembly module and a
vaporizer assembly
module according to some example embodiments. The cartridge 70 shown in FIG.
4A and FIG.
4B may be included in any of the embodiments included herein, including the
cartridge 70 of the
20 e-vaping device 10 shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. In some example
embodiments, the
cartridge 70 shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B may be coupled with a power supply
section 72
illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B to form an e-vaping device 10.
In some example embodiments, a cartridge 70 may include multiple modules that
may be
coupled together to configure the cartridge to provide a flavored vapor. The
flavor assembly
may be included in a flavor assembly module. The flavor assembly module may be
configured
to be removably coupled to a vaporizer assembly module. The vaporizer assembly
module may
include a vaporizer assembly. The flavor assembly module may be decoupled from
the
vaporizer assembly module, swapped for a different flavor assembly module, and
so forth.
Different flavor assembly modules may include different flavor assemblies,
different flavorants,
different volatile flavor substances, some combination thereof, and so forth.
Different flavor
assemblies may be configured to form different flavored vapors associated with
different flavors.
As a result, swapping different flavor assemblies in a cartridge may enable an
adult vaper to
swap flavors associated with the flavored vapors provided to the adult vaper
during vaping
independently of swapping entire cartridges, thereby improving the sensory
experience of the
adult vaper during vaping.
As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, a cartridge 70 may include a flavor assembly
module
410 and a vaporizer assembly module 420. Modules 410, 420 may be coupled
together via
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complimentary interfaces 416, 426. It will be understood that the interfaces
416, 426 may
include any of the types of interfaces described herein. Each module 410, 420
may include a
respective housing 411, 421.
The vaporizer assembly module 420 may include a vaporizer assembly 22 within
the
housing 421. The vaporizer assembly 22 shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B may be the
vaporizer
assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 1B.
As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the interface 426 of module 420 may include a
conduit
427, such that the vaporizer assembly 22 held within the housing 421 of the
module 420 is held
in flow communication with an exterior of the module 420. The vaporizer
assembly module 420
may include a cartridge interface 74 at one end distal from the interface 426.
The cartridge
interface 74 may be configured to electrically couple the vaporizer assembly
22 with a power
supply included in a separate power supply section of an e-vaping device.
The flavor assembly module 410 may include a flavor assembly 14 within the
housing
411. The flavor assembly 14 shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B may be the flavor
assembly 14
shown in any of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3.
As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the interface 416 of module 410 may include a
conduit
417. The conduit 417 may extend between the interface 416 and the interior of
the housing
411, such that the flavor assembly 14 held within the housing 411 of the
module 410 is held in
flow communication with an exterior of the module 410 through the conduit 417.
The interior of
the housing 411 may be referred to herein as a flavor assembly compartment
413. The flavor
assembly module 410 may include an outlet end insert 19 at an outlet end of
the module 410
and a set of one or more outlet ports 21 in the insert 19.
As shown in FIG. 4B, when the modules 410, 420 are coupled via interfaces 416,
426, the
modules 410, 420 may form a cartridge 70, where the cartridge includes an
outlet end insert 19
at an outlet end and an electrical interface 74 at a tip end. The cartridge 70
may further include
the flavor assembly 14 being held in flow communication with the vaporizer
assembly 22 via a
conduit 437 in coupled interfaces 416, 426. In some example embodiments, the
conduit 437
may be a combination of conduits 417 and 427. In some example embodiments, the
conduit
437 is one or more of conduits 417 and 427. For example, in some example
embodiments, the
conduit 437 is the conduit 417 extending between the interface 416 and the
flavor assembly
compartment 413 within the housing 411. The cartridge 70 may further include
the flavor
assembly 14 being in flow communication with the outlet ports 21, such that
raw vapors
generated by the vaporizer assembly 22 may pass out of the cartridge 70 by
following a
pathway extending through the flavor assembly 14 to the outlet ports 21. The
flavor assembly
compartment 413 within the housing 411 may direct raw vapor received into the
flavor assembly
compartment 413 through the conduit 437 to pass through the flavor assembly
14.
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As shown, the flavor assembly module 410 may be configured to restrict flow
communication through the module 410 to be through the flavor assembly 14,
such that raw
vapors passing from the vaporizer assembly 22 to the outlet ports 21 in the
formed cartridge 70
are restricted to passing through the flavor assembly 14. The module 410
housing 411 may be
sized to establish physical contact with the outer surfaces of the flavor
assembly 14.
In some example embodiments, the cartridge 70 includes an opening via which a
flavor
assembly 14 may be inserted or removed from the module 410. The cartridge 70
may include a
hatch (not shown) which may be operable to selectively expose or seal the
module 410 interior
from an exterior environment to enable the flavor assembly 14 to selectively
seal the module
410 interior from the exterior environment based on the flavor assembly 14
being inserted into
the module 410 interior.
The flavor assembly module 410 may be configured to be removably coupled with
the
module 420, so that flavor assembly modules 410 may be swapped from the module
420.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an e-vaping device according to some
example
embodiments. The e-vaping device 10 shown in FIG. 5 may be included in any of
the
embodiments included herein, including the e-vaping device 10 shown in FIG. 1A
and FIG. 1B.
In some example embodiments, an e-vaping device 10 may include a flavor
assembly
compartment 510 and a vaporizer assembly compartment 520. The e-vaping device
10 may be
configured to removably receive a flavor assembly 14 into the flavor assembly
compartment
510. The e-vaping device 10 may be configured to removably receive a vaporizer
assembly 22
into the vaporizer assembly compartment 520.
The e-vaping device 10 may include a partition 525 between the compartments
510, 520.
The partition 525 may include a conduit 530 which extends through the
partition 525 and is in
flow communication with both the flavor assembly compartment 510 and the
vaporizer assembly
compartment 520, so that a flavor assembly 14 inserted into the flavor
assembly compartment
510 is held in flow communication with a vaporizer assembly 22 inserted into
the vaporizer
assembly compartment 22.
In some example embodiments, one or more of the compartments 510, 520 includes
a
hatch (not shown in FIG. 5) in an outer housing 501 of the e-vaping device. A
hatch in the
housing 501 may be in communication with a particular compartment of the
compartments 510,
520. A hatch in communication with a given compartment 510, 520 may
selectively seal or
expose the interior of the compartment 510, 520. The hatch may be opened to
permit a flavor
assembly 14 or vaporizer assembly 22 to be inserted or removed from the given
compartment.
In some example embodiments, one or more of the flavor assembly 14 and the
vaporizer
assembly 22 are shaped to complete a sealing of the compartments 510, 520 when
the one or
more of the flavor assembly 14 and the vaporizer assembly 22 are inserted into
the respective
compartments 510, 520.
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The e-vaping device 10 may include a power supply section 72, where the power
supply
section 72 includes a power supply 12. Cartridge 70 and power supply section
72 may be
coupled via complementary interfaces 74, 84. The vaporizer assembly
compartment 520 may
include an electrical interface 541 which is coupled to the power supply 12
via one or more of
interfaces 74, 84. The compartment 520 may electrically couple the vaporizer
assembly 22 to
the power supply 12 via the electrical interface 541.
In some example embodiments, interfaces 74, 84 are absent and the sections 70,
72 are
irremovably coupled together.
The e-vaping device 10 may include an outlet end insert 19 at an outlet end of
the e-
vaping device 10. The outlet end insert 19 may be in flow communication with
the compartment
510, such that a flavored vapor passing out of a flavor assembly 14 in the
compartment 510
may pass out of the e-vaping device 10 via a set of one or more outlets 21 in
the outlet end
insert 19.
In some embodiments, the compartments 510, 520 are configured to complete a
sealing
of the flavor assembly 14 and vaporizer assembly 22 within the housing of the
e-vaping device
10, such that raw vapors and flavored vapors passing through portions of the e-
vaping device
10 are restricted from exiting the e-vaping device via conduits other than the
outlet end insert
19.
The flavor assembly 14 and the vaporizer assembly 22 may be independently
swapped
for additional respective flavor assemblies 14 and vaporizer assemblies 22
from the respective
compartments 510, 520. Therefore, different flavor assemblies 14 which include
different
flavorants, and therefore are configured to form different flavored vapors,
may be swapped out
from the flavor assembly compartment 510 as desired.
An adult vaper may swap a flavor assembly 14 in response to a depletion of
flavorants in
the flavor assembly 14, in response to a desire of the adult vaper to switch
out the flavored
vapor enabled by the flavor assembly 14 for another flavored vapor enabled by
another vapor
assembly 14, some combination thereof, and so forth. In addition, because the
flavored
assembly 14 may be swapped out of the e-vaping device 10 independently from
the vaporizer
assembly 22, the vaporizer assembly 22 may remain in use in the e-vaping
device 10 as long as
the vaporizer assembly 22 includes sufficient pre-vapor formulation to form a
vapor.
While a number of example embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be
understood that other variations may be possible. Such variations are not to
be regarded as a
departure from the scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications
as would be
obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope
of the following
claims.
