Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
VAPORIZATION DEVICE
1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to a vaporization device, and in
particular, to
an electronic device that provides inhalable aerosol.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electronic cigarette is an electronic product that heats a vaporizable
solution and
vaporizes the solution to generate aerosol for a user to inhale. In recent
years, major
manufacturers begin to produce various electronic cigarette products.
Generally, an
electronic cigarette product includes a housing, an e-liquid storage chamber,
a
vaporization chamber, a heating assembly, an air inlet, an airflow channel, an
air
outlet, a power supply device, a sensing device, and a control device. The e-
liquid
storage chamber is configured to store a vaporizable (vaporizable) solution.
The
heating assembly is configured to heat the vaporizable solution and vaporize
the
solution to generate aerosol. The air inlet is in communication with the
vaporization
chamber, and a user supplies air to the heating assembly when inhaling. The
aerosol
generated by the heating assembly is first generated in the vaporization
chamber, then
flows through the airflow channel and the air outlet, and is finally inhaled
by the user.
The power supply device supplies power needed by the heating assembly, and the
control device controls a heating time of the heating assembly based on an
inhalation
action of the user detected by the sensing device. The housing wraps each of
the
foregoing assemblies.
When the user uses an electronic cigarette, generated aerosol may condense in
cavities or channels to form liquid. For example, the aerosol may condense in
a cavity
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
or a channel such as a vaporization chamber, an air inlet, an airflow channel,
or an air
outlet to form liquid. The liquid in such cavity or channel may leak when the
user
uses the electronic cigarette, and contaminate the user's clothes, pants, or
other
portable valuables, thereby causing bad user experience. With a continuous
increase
in use frequency, how to make the electronic cigarette better meet a
requirement of
the user through various improvements to improve user experience is an
indispensable part for development of the electronic cigarette.
Therefore, a vaporization device that can resolve the problem is provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Some embodiments of this application provide a vaporization device. The
provided
vaporization device includes a housing, a top cap, and a heating assembly. The
housing and the top cap define a storage compartment, and the top cap
surrounds the
heating assembly.
Some embodiments of this application provide a vaporization device. The
provided
vaporization device includes a housing, a heating assembly, and a top cap. The
top
cap is engaged with the housing and the heating assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The aspects of the disclosure will become more comprehensible from the
following
detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
should be
noted that, various features may not be drawn to scale, and the sizes of the
various
features may be increased or reduced arbitrarily for the purpose of clear
description.
FIG. lA and FIG. 1B are schematic diagrams of disassembled structures of a
cartridge
according to some embodiments of this application.
2
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic diagrams of disassembled structures of a top
cap
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a cartridge
according
to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic diagrams of disassembled structures of a
cartridge
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a cartridge
according
to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 5B is a bottom view of a cartridge according to some embodiments of this
io application.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a filter screen according to some embodiments
of
this application.
FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a top cap according to some
embodiments of this application.
FIG. 7B is a top view of a top cap according to some embodiments of this
application.
FIG. 7C to FIG. 7F are schematic diagrams of disassembled structures of a top
cap
according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a cartridge
according to
some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional view of an assembly of a top cap according to
some
embodiments of this application.
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a cartridge according to some embodiments of
this
application.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a cartridge
according
to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a cartridge
according
to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a heating base
of a
cartridge according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a heating base
of a
cartridge according to some embodiments of this application.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a filter screen according to some
embodiments of
this application.
The drawings and detailed descriptions use the same reference numerals to
indicate
same or similar elements. The features of the disclosure will be clearer from
the
detailed descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The following disclosed content provides many different embodiments or
examples
of different features used to implement the provided subject matters. The
following
disclosed content provides many different embodiments or examples of different
features used to implement the provided subject matters. Certainly, these are
merely
examples and are not intended to be limitative. In the disclosure, in the
following
descriptions, reference formed by the first feature above or on the second
feature may
include an embodiment formed by direct contact between the first feature and
the
4
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
second feature, and may further include an embodiment in which an additional
feature
may be formed between the first feature and the second feature to enable the
first
feature and the second feature to be not in direct contact. In addition, in
the disclosure,
reference numerals and/or letters may be repeated in examples. This repetition
is for
the purpose of simplification and clarity, and does not indicate a
relationship between
the described various embodiments and/or configurations.
The embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below. However, it
should
be understood that, the disclosure provides many applicable concepts that can
be
implemented in various particular cases. The described particular embodiments
are
only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.
In some embodiments of this application, an electronic vaporizer device is
also
referred to as an electronic cigarette. The electronic vaporizer device
includes an
electronic vaporizer device body and an electronic vaporizer, the electronic
vaporizer
device body being also referred to as a tobacco rod (not shown), and the
electronic
vaporizer being also referred to as a cartridge 1. In some embodiments of this
application, the cartridge and the tobacco rod are separate structural
components, and
the cartridge may be connected to the tobacco rod in a pluggable manner. The
cartridge is engaged with the tobacco rod to form an electronic cigarette. In
some
embodiments of this application, the cartridge and the tobacco rod may be
integrally
formed structural components.
FIG. lA and FIG. 1B are schematic diagrams of disassembled structures of a
cartridge
1 according to some embodiments of this application. The cartridge 1 includes
a
mouthpiece 11, a cap 12, a housing 13, a top cap 14, a heating assembly 15, a
heating
base 16, a tube 17, an ejector pin 18, a printed circuit board (PCB) module
19, and a
bottom cap 20. In some embodiments, the heating assembly 15, the ejector pin
18,
5
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
and the PCB module 19 form a heating circuit in some embodiments of this
application. In some embodiments, a resistor (not shown) indicating taste
information
of the cartridge 1 is disposed on the PCB module 19. In some embodiments, an
encryption chip (not shown) is further disposed on the PCB module 19.
In some embodiments of this application, the cartridge 1 further includes a
tar
absorbing pad 151 located below the heating component 15. The tar absorbing
pad
151 may be configured to absorb tobacco tar that may leak. The tar absorbing
pad
151 is made of cotton, but a material may be selected according to an actual
situation
and is not limited thereto. Both sides of the tar absorbing pad 151 are
provided with
through holes or openings, the through holes or openings wrapping an outer
wall at
an upper half portion of the ejector pin 18.
The heating base 16 includes a hole 161, two holes 162, and a plurality of
holes 163.
The hole 161 is configured to accommodate the tube 17. When the cartridge 1 is
assembled, the PCB module 19 is separated from the tube 17, and the PCB module
19 is not in direct contact with the tube 17. The two holes 162 are
respectively
configured to accommodate one ejector pin 18. Through the plurality of holes
163,
the tube 17 may be in fluid communication with space in which a lower surface
of
the heating assembly 15, the tar absorbing pad 151, and the ejector pin 18 are
located.
In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 11 has a hole 111, the cap 12 has a hole
121,
and the housing 13 has a hole 131. When the mouthpiece 11, the cap 12, and the
housing 13 are engaged with each other, the hole 111, the hole 121, and the
hole 131
are in fluid communication with each other. A user may inhale gas containing a
vaporized substance (for example, tobacco tar) from the hole 111 of the
mouthpiece
11.
6
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
Referring to FIG. lA and FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the top cap 14 has an
assembly 141, an assembly 142, and an assembly 143. In some embodiments, the
assembly 141, the assembly 142, and the assembly 143 are made of different
materials. In some embodiments, the assembly 141 and the assembly 143 may be
made of a same material. In some embodiments, the assembly 142 is made of a
material different from materials of the assembly 141 and the assembly 143.
FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic diagrams of disassembled structures of a top
cap
14 according to some embodiments of this application. The top cap 14 has an
assembly 141, an assembly 142, and an assembly 143. The assembly 141 may be
made of silica gel. The assembly 143 may be made of silica gel. The assembly
142
may be made of plastics. Material hardness of the assembly 142 may be higher
than
material hardness of the assembly 141. Material hardness of the assembly 142
may
be higher than material hardness of the assembly 143.
The material hardness of the assembly 142 may be within a range from 65A to
75A
of a Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the assembly 142 may be
within
a range from 75A to 85A of the Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of
the
assembly 142 may be within a range from 85A to 90A of the Shore hardness type
A.
Material hardness of the assembly 141 may be within a range from 20A to 40A of
the
Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the assembly 141 may be within
a
range from 40A to 60A of the Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of
the
assembly 141 may be within a range from 60A to 75A of the Shore hardness type
A.
Material hardness of the assembly 143 may be within a range from 20A to 40A of
the
Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of the assembly 143 may be within
a
range from 40A to 60A of the Shore hardness type A. The material hardness of
the
assembly 143 may be within a range from 60A to 75A of the Shore hardness type
A.
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
The assembly 141, the assembly 142, and the assembly 143 of the top cap 14 may
be
combined together through later assembling. Therefore, assembly misalignment
and
a part tolerance problem may exist between the assembly 141, the assembly 142,
and
the assembly 143, further leading to a risk of liquid leakage (for example,
tobacco tar
leakage). A bonding force between the assembly 141 and the assembly 142 tends
to
be 0 N (that is, 0 Newton). A bonding force between the assembly 143 and the
assembly 142 tends to be 0 N. For example, the assembly 141 and the assembly
142
that are combined with each other may be easily separated. The assembly 142
and the
assembly 143 that are combined with each other may be easily separated.
The assembly 141 has a through hole 1411. The assembly 143 has a through hole
1431. When the assembly 141 is engaged with the assembly 142, the assembly 141
surrounds a portion of the assembly 142. When the assembly 142 is engaged with
the
assembly 143, a portion of the assembly 142 surrounds the assembly 143.
Referring to FIG. 2B, the assembly 142 has a through hole 1421. The assembly
141
has a through hole 1411. The assembly 143 has a through hole 1431. When the
assembly 141, the assembly 142, and the assembly 143 are engaged with each
other,
the through hole 1411, the through hole 1421, and the through hole 1431 are in
fluid
communication with each other.
Again referring to FIG. lA and FIG. 1B, when the top cap 14 is engaged with
the
housing 13, an inner surface of the housing 13 surrounds the assembly 141.
When the
top cap 14 is engaged with the heating assembly 15, the assembly 143 surrounds
the
heating assembly 15. When the top cap 14 is engaged with the heating assembly
15,
the through hole 1431 of the assembly 143 may expose a portion of the heating
assembly 15. When the top cap 14 is engaged with the heating assembly 15, the
8
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
through hole 1431 of the assembly 143 may expose an upper surface of the
heating
assembly 15.
In some embodiments, the upper surface of the heating assembly 15 includes a
groove.
In some embodiments, a lower surface of the heating assembly 15 has two pins,
each
of the two pins of the heating assembly 15 being coupled to a corresponding
ejector
pin 18. The ejector pin 18 may be coupled to the PCB module 19.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a cartridge 1
according
to some embodiments of this application. A housing 13 includes a storage
compartment 132. The storage compartment 132 is configured to store a to-be-
vaporized fluid substance, such as tobacco tar. A top cap 14 (including an
assembly
141, an assembly 142, and an assembly 143) is engaged with the housing 13. In
some
embodiments, the housing 13 and the top cap 14 define the storage compartment
132.
When the top cap 14 is engaged with the housing 13, an inner surface of the
housing
13 surrounds the assembly 141 of the top cap 14. In some embodiments, the
housing
13 defines the storage compartment 132. When the top cap 14 is engaged with
the
housing 13, an inner surface of the storage compartment 132 surrounds the
assembly
141 of the top cap 14. The top cap 14 (including the assembly 141, the
assembly 142,
and the assembly 143) is engaged with a heating assembly 15. When the top cap
14
is engaged with the heating assembly 15, the assembly 143 of the top cap 14
surrounds the heating assembly 15.
The top cap 14 defines an opening 144. The assembly 141 and the assembly 142
of
the top cap 14 define the opening 144. The top cap 14 defines an opening 145.
An
upper surface of the heating assembly 15 has a groove. The opening 145 of the
top
cap 14 and the groove on the upper surface of the heating assembly 15 define a
cavity.
The assembly 141 and the assembly 142 of the top cap 14 and the upper surface
of
9
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
the heating assembly 15 define the opening 145. The assembly 141 and the
assembly
142 of the top cap 14 and the groove on the upper surface of the heating
assembly 15
define the opening 145.
The storage compartment 132 is in fluid communication with the opening 144.
The
opening 144 is in fluid communication with the opening 145. The opening 144 is
in
fluid communication with the opening 145 through a through hole 1421. The
storage
compartment 132, the opening 144, and the opening 145 are in fluid
communication
with each other. The storage compartment 132, the opening 144, the opening
145,
and the groove on the upper surface of the heating assembly 15 are in fluid
communication with each other.
The heating assembly 15 includes two pins 152. The pins 152 are coupled to an
ejector pin 18. A tube 17 extends from a bottom cap 20 toward the heating
assembly
15. The tube 17 includes two ends. The two ends of the tube 17 each have an
opening
171 and an opening 172. The tube 17 extends and partially penetrates through a
heating base 16. A hole 161 (as shown in FIG. 1A) of the heating base 16
accommodates the tube 17. The opening 171 of the tube 17 defines an opening on
a
bottom surface of the heating base 16. The opening 171 of the tube 17 is
exposed to
the bottom surface of the heating base 16. The heating base 16 includes the
opening
171 of the tube 17. A through hole 201 (as shown in FIG. 5A) of the bottom cap
20
exposes the opening 171. The opening 171 and the opening 172 of the tube 17
are in
communication with external fluid.
A dashed arrow in FIG. 3 shows an outlet passage P1 of a cartridge 1. The
external
fluid (such as air) flows in from the opening 171 of the tube 17, flows
through the
tube 17, and flows out from the opening 172 of the tube 17. The air flowing
out from
the opening 172 of the tube 17 flows through a plurality of holes 163 (as
shown in
io
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
FIG. 1B) of the heating base 16 to a vaporization chamber 153. The
vaporization
chamber 153 is defined by a lower portion of the heating assembly 15, the pins
152,
and the ejector pin 18. The lower portion of the heating assembly 15 is
exposed to
the vaporization chamber 153. Aerosol generated by heating of the heating
assembly
15 is mixed with air, and the aerosol mixed with the air flows through a
passage 133
of the housing 13 to a hole 131 (as shown in FIG. 1A) of the housing 13 and a
hole
121 (as shown in FIG. 1A) of a cap 12, and then flows to a hole 111 of a
mouthpiece
11 to be sucked by a user. When the user uses a vaporization device, vaporized
tobacco tar is mixed with cold air, which may condense the vaporized tobacco
tar.
Condensed tobacco tar may be absorbed by the tar absorbing pad 151 to prevent
the
tobacco tar from spilling out of the cartridge 1. However, the condensed
tobacco tar
may not be completely absorbed by the tar absorbing pad 151 and may spill out
of
the cartridge 1 through the tube 17.
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic diagrams of disassembled structures of a
cartridge
2 according to some embodiments of this application. Similar to the cartridge
1 shown
in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 3, the cartridge 2 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B
includes a
mouthpiece 11, a cap 12, a housing 13, a heating assembly 15, a heating base
16, a
tube 17, an ejector pin 18, a printed circuit board (PCB) module 19, a bottom
cap 20,
a top cap 40, and a filter screen 42. In some embodiments, the heating
assembly 15,
the ejector pin 18, and the PCB module 19 form a heating circuit in some
embodiments of this application. In some embodiments, a resistor (not shown)
indicating taste information of the cartridge 2 is disposed on the PCB module
19. In
some embodiments, an encryption chip (not shown) is further disposed on the
PCB
module 19.
In some embodiments of this application, the cartridge 2 further includes a
tar
absorbing pad 151 located below the heating assembly 15. The tar absorbing pad
151
11
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
may be configured to absorb tobacco tar that may leak. The tar absorbing pad
151 is
made of cotton, but a material may be selected according to an actual
situation and is
not limited thereto. Both sides of the tar absorbing pad 151 are provided with
through
holes or openings, the through holes or openings wrapping an outer wall at an
upper
half portion of the ejector pin 18.
The heating base 16 includes a hole 161, two holes 162, and a plurality of
holes 163.
The hole 161 is configured to accommodate the tube 17. When the cartridge 1 is
assembled, the PCB module 19 is separated from the tube 17, and the PCB module
19 is not in direct contact with the tube 17. The two holes 162 are
respectively
configured to accommodate one ejector pin 18. Through the plurality of holes
163,
the tube 17 may be in fluid communication with space in which a lower surface
of
the heating assembly 15, the tar absorbing pad 151, and the ejector pin 18 are
located.
In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 11 has a hole 111, the cap 12 has a hole
121,
and the housing 13 has a hole 131. When the mouthpiece 11, the cap 12, and the
housing 13 are engaged with each other, the hole 111, the hole 121, and the
hole 131
are in fluid communication with each other. A user may inhale gas containing a
vaporized substance (for example, tobacco tar) from the hole 111 of the
mouthpiece
11.
The tube 17 shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B has two ends, one end including an
opening 171 close to the bottom cap 20 and the other end including an opening
172
(as shown in FIG. 3) close to the heating assembly 15. A tube 17 extends from
a
bottom cap 20 toward the heating assembly 15. The tube 17 includes two ends.
The
two ends of the tube 17 each have an opening 171 and an opening 172. The tube
17
extends and penetrates through the heating base 16. A hole 161 (as shown in
FIG. 4A)
of the heating base 16 accommodates the tube 17. The opening 171 of the tube
17
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
defines an opening on a bottom surface of the heating base 16. The opening 171
of
the tube 17 is exposed to the bottom surface of the heating base 16. The
heating base
16 includes the opening 171 of the tube 17. A through hole 201 (as shown in
FIG.
5A) of the bottom cap 20 exposes the opening 171. The opening 171 and the
opening
172 of the tube 17 are in communication with external fluid.
The cartridge 2 shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B also includes the passage P1
shown
in FIG. 3. The external fluid (such as air) flows in from the opening 171 of
the tube
17, flows through the tube 17, and flows out from the opening 172 of the tube
17.
The fluid flowing out from the opening 172 of the tube 17 flows through the
plurality
of holes 163 (as shown in FIG. 1B) of the heating base 16 to space in which a
lower
surface of the heating assembly 15, pins 152, and the ejector pin 18 are
located. The
external fluid (such as air) flows through a passage 133 of the housing 13 to
the hole
131 (as shown in FIG. 1A) of the housing 13 and the hole 121 (as shown in FIG.
1A)
of the cap 12, and then flows to the hole 111 of the mouthpiece 11.
FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a cartridge 2
according
to some embodiments of this application. A heating base 19 includes three
contacts
191. The contacts 191 and an opening 171 are located on a bottom surface of
the
heating base 19. A bottom cap 20 includes a through hole 201 and a through
hole 202.
A filter screen 42 is located between a housing 13 and the bottom cap 20. The
filter
screen 42 is located between the heating base 19 and the bottom cap 20. The
filter
screen 42 is located between the bottom cap 20 and the opening 171 at one end
of a
tube 17. The filter screen 42 covers the opening 171. The filter screen 42
covers the
through hole 201. The through hole 201 exposes the filter screen 42. The
through
hole 201 exposes a micropore 420 (as shown in FIG. 6) of the filter screen 42.
The
through hole 202 exposes the contacts 191. In some embodiments, if the filter
screen
42 is not used, the through hole 201 exposes the opening 171.
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
In some embodiments, the filter screen 42 may be made of a same material as a
material of the heating base 19. In some embodiments, the filter screen 42 may
be
made of a material different from the material of the heating base 19. In some
embodiments, the filter screen 42 may be made of a same material as a material
of
the bottom cap 20. In some embodiments, the filter screen 42 may be made of a
material different from the material of the bottom cap 20. In some
embodiments, the
filter screen 42 may be made of a metal material. In some embodiments, the
filter
screen 42 may be made of a plastic material.
FIG. 5B is a bottom view of a cartridge 2 according to some embodiments of
this
application. The through hole 201 of the bottom cap 20 exposes the micropore
420
of the filter screen 42. The through hole 202 of the bottom cap 20 exposes the
contacts
191.
According to the cartridge 2 in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5B, when
the
user inhales, air flows through the passage P1 shown in FIG. 3. When the air
flows
through a vaporization chamber 153, vaporized tobacco tar is mixed with cold
air,
which may condense the vaporized tobacco tar. Tobacco tar that is not
completely
absorbed by a tar absorbing pad 151 may spill out of the cartridge 2. The
filter screen
42 is disposed, so that the cartridge 2 may prevent condensed tobacco tar from
leaking
out of the cartridge 2 through the tube 17.
The filter screen 42 and the micropore 420 are in fluid communication with the
passage Pl. The filter screen 42 and the micropore 420 are in fluid
communication
with the vaporization chamber 153 (a lower portion of the heating assembly 15
is
exposed to the vaporization chamber 153). The filter screen 42 and the
micropore 420
are in fluid communication with the heating assembly 15. The condensed tobacco
tar
may spill out and flow to the tube 17. If the condensed tobacco tar spills out
and flows
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
to the tube 17, the micropore 420 on the filter screen 42 will block the
condensed
tobacco tar.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a filter screen 42 according to some
embodiments
of this application. In some embodiments, the filter screen 42 may be of a
semi-
elliptical shape. A shape of the filter screen 42 may conform to a contour of
a bottom
cap 20. The shape of the filter screen 42 includes a circular shape, a semi-
circular
shape, a triangular shape, or a rectangular shape. The thickness of the filter
screen 42
is within a range from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The area of the filter screen 42 is
within a
range from 3 mm2 to 30 mm2. The filter screen 42 may be made of stainless
steel or
nylon. The filter screen 42 includes a plurality of micropores 420. A diameter
of one
micropore 420 is within a range from 0.01 mm to 0.2 mm. The area of the
micropore
420 is less than the area of a through hole 201 of the bottom cap 20. A sum of
the
areas of the plurality of micropores 420 is within a range from 0.7 mm2 to 4
mm2. If
condensed tobacco tar spills into a tube 17, due to surface tension of the
tobacco tar,
the micropores 420 on the filter screen 42 will block the condensed tobacco
tar.
FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a top cap 40 according to some
embodiments of this application. The top cap 40 includes a portion 401 and a
portion
402. The portion 401 and the portion 402 are made of different materials. The
portion
401 may be made of an elastic material, for example, silica gel or ceramic
silica gel.
The portion 402 may be made of plastics. Material hardness of the portion 402
is
higher than material hardness of the portion 401. Shore hardness of a silica
gel
material of the portion 401 is within a range from 40A to 50A. The portion 401
may
be made of liquid silica gel. The portion 401 may be fixed to the portion 402
through
secondary injection molding. The portion 401 may be made of liquid silica gel,
and
is attached to the portion 402 by applying an adhesive. The portion 401 may be
made
of self-adhesive liquid silica gel, the self-adhesive liquid silica gel being
solidified
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
after being applied to the portion 402. The portion 401 and the portion 402
may be
assembled into a top cap 40 through injection molding assembly. A bonding
force
between the portion 401 and the portion 402 is within a range from 0.1 N/cm2
(Newton/square millimeter) to 20 N/cm2. Because the portion 401 and the
portion
402 may be assembled into the top cap 40 through injection molding assembly,
assembly misalignment and a part tolerance problem do not exist between the
portion
401 and the portion 402, thereby avoiding a risk of liquid leakage (for
example,
tobacco tar leakage).
The portion 402 of the top cap 40 includes a flange 4021 and two through holes
4022.
The flange 4021 increases the bonding force between the portion 401 and the
portion
402. Because the portion 401 and the portion 402 are assembled through
injection
molding assembly, the flange 4021 is fully engaged with the portion 401. The
portion
401 may wrap a portion of the flange 4021. The portion 401 may completely wrap
the flange 4021.
An upper portion of the top cap 40 defines an opening 403. A lower portion of
the
top cap 40 defines an opening 404. The upper portion of the portion 402 of the
top
cap 40 defines the opening 403. The lower portion of the portion 402 of the
top cap
40 defines the opening 404. The opening 403 is in fluid communication with the
opening 404 through a through hole 4022.
FIG. 7B is a top view of a top cap 40 according to some embodiments of this
application. The portion 401 includes a first portion 4011 and a second
portion 4012.
The first portion 4011 surrounds an outer surface of the portion 402. The
second
portion 4012 surrounds an inner surface of the portion 402. The first portion
4011
surrounds an outer side of the opening 403. The second portion 4012 surrounds
an
inner side of the opening 404. The portion 402 includes two through holes
4022.
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a top cap 40
according
to some embodiments of this application. The top cap 40 includes a portion 401
and
a portion 402. The portion 401 includes a pair of protrusions 4013. The
portion 402
includes a flange 4021 and a pair of perforations 4023. Because the portion
401 and
the portion 402 are assembled through injection molding assembly, the flange
4021
is fully engaged with the portion 401, to increase a bonding force between the
portion
401 and the portion 402. The protrusions 4013 respectively correspond to the
perforations 4023. Because the portion 401 and the portion 402 are assembled
through injection molding assembly, the pair of protrusions 4013 are
respectively
formed in the corresponding perforations 4023, to increase the bonding force
between
the portion 401 and the portion 402. The top cap 40 is shown on the right of
FIG. 7C.
The protrusions 4013 penetrate through the portion 402 through the
perforations 4023
and are exposed. In some embodiments, the portion 401 may include one, three,
four,
or more protrusions 4013, and the portion 402 may accordingly include one,
three,
four, or more perforations 4023.
FIG. 7D is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a top cap 40
according
to some embodiments of this application. The top cap 40 includes a portion 401
and
a portion 402. The portion 401 includes a pair of protrusions 4013. The
portion 402
includes a flange 4021 and a pair of perforations 4023. Because the portion
401 and
the portion 402 are assembled through injection molding assembly, the flange
4021
is fully engaged with the portion 401, to increase a bonding force between the
portion
401 and the portion 402. The protrusions 4013 respectively correspond to the
perforations 4023. Because the portion 401 and the portion 402 are assembled
through injection molding assembly, the pair of protrusions 4013 are
respectively
formed in the corresponding perforations 4023, to increase the bonding force
between
the portion 401 and the portion 402.
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
FIG. 7E is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a top cap 40
according
to some embodiments of this application. The top cap 40 includes a portion 401
and
a portion 402. The portion 401 includes a pair of protrusions 4013. The
portion 402
includes a flange 4021 and a pair of perforations 4023. Because the portion
401 and
the portion 402 are assembled through injection molding assembly, the flange
4021
is fully engaged with the portion 401, to increase a bonding force between the
portion
401 and the portion 402. The protrusions 4013 respectively correspond to the
perforations 4023. Because the portion 401 and the portion 402 are assembled
through injection molding assembly, the pair of protrusions 4013 are
respectively
formed in the corresponding perforations 4023, to increase the bonding force
between
the portion 401 and the portion 402.
According to the cartridge 2 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the portion 401 is
located
between the flange 4021 and an inner surface of the housing 13 (see FIG. 3).
According to the cartridge 2 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, a first portion 4011 of
the
portion 401 is located between the flange 4021 and the inner surface of the
housing
13 (see FIG. 3). According to the cartridge 2 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the
portion 401
is located between the flange 4021 and the inner surface of the storage
compartment
132 (see FIG. 3). According to the cartridge 2 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the
first
portion 4011 of the portion 401 is located between the flange 4021 and the
inner
surface of the storage compartment 132 (see FIG. 3).
FIG. 7F is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a top cap 40
according
to some embodiments of this application. The top cap 40 includes a portion 401
and
a portion 402. The portion 401 includes a first portion 4011 and a second
portion
4012. According to the cartridge 2 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the inner surface
of the
housing 13 surrounds the portion 401 of the top cap 40 (see FIG. 3), the
portion 401
of the top cap 40 surrounding the heating assembly 15 (see FIG. 3). According
to the
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
cartridge 2 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the inner surface of the housing 13
surrounds the
first portion 4011 of the portion 401 (see FIG. 3), and the second portion
4012 of the
portion 401 surrounds the heating assembly 15 (see FIG. 3). According to the
cartridge 2 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the inner surface of the storage
compartment 132
surrounds the portion 401 of the top cap 40 (see FIG. 3), the portion 401 of
the top
cap 40 surrounding the heating assembly 15 (see FIG. 3). According to the
cartridge
2 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the inner surface of the storage chamber 132
surrounds
the first portion 4011 of the portion 401 (see FIG. 3), and the second portion
4012 of
the portion 401 surrounds the heating assembly 15 (see FIG. 3).
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a cartridge 7
according
to some embodiments of this application. The cartridge 7 includes a housing
71, a top
cap 72, a heating assembly 73, and a heating base 74. The housing 71 includes
a
passage 711. A lower surface of the heating base 74 has an opening 761. The
top cap
72 includes a sealing assembly 721, a body assembly 722, and a sealing
assembly
723. The sealing assembly 721 includes an opening 7212, an opening 7213, and
an
opening 7214 (see FIG. 10). The body assembly 722 includes a groove 7221, an
opening 7222, an opening 7223, an opening 7224, and an opening 7225. The
sealing
assembly 723 includes an opening 7231.
In some embodiments, the sealing assembly 721, the body assembly 722, and the
sealing assembly 723 are made of different materials. In some embodiments, the
sealing assembly 721 and the sealing assembly 723 may be made of a same
material.
In some embodiments, the body assembly 722 is made of a material different
from a
material of the sealing assembly 721 and the sealing assembly 723. The sealing
assembly 721 may be made of silica gel. The sealing assembly 723 may be made
of
silica gel. The body assembly 722 may be made of plastics. Material hardness
of the
body assembly 722 is higher than material hardness of the sealing assembly
721.
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
Material hardness of the body assembly 722 is higher than material hardness of
the
sealing assembly 723. The material hardness of the sealing assembly 721 is
within a
range from 55A to 65A of Shore hardness. The material hardness of the sealing
assembly 723 is within a range from 55A to 65A of Shore hardness. The sealing
assembly 721, the body assembly 722, and the sealing assembly 723 of the top
cap
72 are assembled together through later assembling. Therefore, assembly
misalignment and a part tolerance problem may occur among the sealing assembly
721, the body assembly 722, and the sealing assembly 723, further leading to a
risk
of liquid leakage (for example, tobacco tar leakage). A bonding force between
the
sealing assembly 721 and the body assembly 722 tends to be 0 N (that is, 0
Newton).
A bonding force between the sealing assembly 723 and the body assembly 722
tends
to be 0 N.
FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional view of a body assembly 722 according to some
embodiments of this application. The body assembly 722 includes an opening
7222,
an opening 7223, an opening 7224, and an opening 7225. The opening 7225
extends
into the body assembly 722 (as shown in FIG. 10). The opening 7223 extends
into
the body assembly 722 (as shown in FIG. 10). The opening 7224 extends into the
body assembly 722 (as shown in FIG. 10). The opening 7225 extends into the
body
assembly 7225 (as shown in FIG. 10). In some embodiments, the body assembly
722
may have more openings. In some embodiments, the body assembly 722 may have
fewer openings. The body assembly 722 has a groove 7221. The groove 7221 is in
fluid communication with the opening 7222. The groove 7221 is in fluid
communication with a vaporization chamber 75 (as shown in FIG. 10).
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram of a cartridge 7 according to some
embodiments
of this application. A housing 71 includes a passage 711 and a storage
compartment
712. The storage compartment 712 is configured to store a to-be-vaporized
fluid
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
substance, such as tobacco tar. A body assembly 722 of a top cap 72 has an
opening
7222, an opening 7223, an opening 7224, and an opening 7225. A sealing
assembly
721 of the top cap 72 has an opening 7212, an opening 7213, and an opening
7214.
The opening 7212, the opening 7213, and the opening 7214 each correspond to
the
opening 7222, the opening 7223, and the opening 7224.
The opening 7213, the opening 7214, the opening 7223, the opening 7224, and
the
opening 7231 are in fluid communication with each other. A lower portion of a
body
assembly 722 defines an opening 7226. The body assembly 722 and the assembly
723 define the opening 7226. The body assembly 722 and the opening 7231 (see
FIG.
8) of the sealing assembly 723 define the opening 7226. The opening 7226 and
an
upper surface of a heating assembly 73 define space 732. The opening 7226 and
an
upper groove of the heating assembly 73 define the space 732. The storage
compartment 712 is in fluid communication with the opening 7213, the opening
7214,
the opening 7223, the opening 7224, and the opening 7231. The opening 7213,
the
opening 7214, the opening 7223, the opening 7224, the opening 7231, and the
opening 7226 are in fluid communication with each other. The opening 7226 is
in
fluid communication with the space 732.
The cartridge 7 includes a tube 76. The tube 76 includes two ends, one end
having an
opening 761 and the other end having an opening 762. In some embodiments, the
tube 76 may include a plurality of openings 762.
The opening 761 is exposed to a heating base 74 (as shown in FIG. 8). The
opening
762 is close to the heating assembly 73. A vaporization chamber 75 is defined
between the heating base 74 and the heating assembly 73. A lower portion of
the
heating assembly 73 is exposed to the vaporization chamber 75. Aerosol
generated
by heating of the heating assembly 73 is formed in the vaporization chamber
75. The
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
aerosol generated by heating of the heating assembly 73 is sucked by a user
through
the passage 711 of the tube. The passage 711 is in fluid communication with
the
vaporization chamber 75. The groove 7221 (as shown in FIG. 9) is in fluid
communication with the vaporization chamber 75.
A dashed arrow in FIG. 10 shows an outlet passage P2 of the cartridge 7. The
external
fluid (such as air) flows in from the opening 761 of the tube 76, flows
through the
tube 76, and flows out from the opening 762 of the tube 76. Air flowing out of
the
opening 762 of the tube 76 flows into the vaporization chamber 75 at the lower
portion of a heating assembly 73. Aerosol generated by heating of the heating
assembly 73 is mixed with air, and the aerosol mixed with the air flows
through the
passage 711 of the housing 71 to be sucked by the user. When the user inhales,
air
flows through the vaporization chamber 75 at the lower portion of the heating
assembly 73, and vaporized tobacco tar is mixed with cold air, which may
condense
the vaporized tobacco tar and may cause the tobacco tar to spill out of the
cartridge
7. The condensed tobacco tar may alternatively spill out of a cartridge 1
through the
tube 76.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a cartridge 7
according
to some embodiments of this application. A plurality of dashed arrows in FIG.
11
show an outlet passage P2 of a cartridge 7. The external fluid (such as air)
flows in
from the opening 761 of the tube 76, flows through the tube 76, and flows out
from
the opening 762 of the tube 76. Air flowing out from the opening 762 of the
tube 76
flows into a vaporization chamber 75 at a lower portion of a heating assembly
73.
Aerosol generated by heating of the heating assembly 73 is mixed with air, and
the
aerosol mixed with the air flows through a groove 7221 and then openings 7222
and
7212 to a passage 711 of a housing 71 to be sucked by a user. A passage P2
shown
in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 does not pass through the space 732, the opening 7226,
and
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
the opening 7231. When the user inhales, the air flows through the
vaporization
chamber 75 of the lower portion of the heating assembly 73, heated and
vaporized
tobacco tar is mixed with air, which may condense the vaporized tobacco tar,
and the
tobacco tar may spill out of the cartridge 7. The condensed tobacco tar may
alternatively spill out of a cartridge 1 through the tube 76.
FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a cartridge 8
according to some embodiments of this application. An opening 761 is exposed
to a
surface of a heating base 74. A filter screen 77 covers the opening 761. A
metal ring
78 fixes the filter screen 77 to the opening 761. The filter screen 77 and a
micropore
770 are exposed to an exterior of the cartridge 8. According to the cartridge
8 in FIG.
12A, when the user inhales, air flows through a passage P2 shown in FIG. 10
and
FIG. 11. When air flows through a vaporization chamber 75 (a lower portion of
a
heating assembly 15 is exposed to a vaporization chamber 153) at a lower
portion of
a heating assembly 73, heated and vaporized tobacco tar is mixed with air,
which may
condense the vaporized tobacco tar. The filter screen 77 and the micropore 770
are in
fluid communication with a passage P2. The filter screen 77 and the micropore
770
are in fluid communication with the vaporization chamber 75 (a lower portion
of the
heating assembly 73 is exposed to the vaporization chamber 75). The filter
screen 77
and the micropore 770 are in fluid communication with the heating assembly 75.
The
condensed tobacco tar may spill out and flow to the tube 76 and flow to the
opening
761. If the condensed tobacco tar spills out and flows to the opening 761, the
micropore 770 (as shown in FIG. 14) on the filter screen 77 will block the
condensed
tobacco tar.
FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a heating base
74 of
a cartridge 8 according to some embodiments of this application. An opening
761 is
exposed to a surface of a heating base 74. A filter screen 77 covers the
opening 761.
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
A ring 78 fixes the filter screen 77 to the opening 761. The ring 78 may be
made of a
metal or plastic material. The filter screen 77 and a micropore 770 are
exposed to an
exterior of the cartridge 8.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a disassembled structure of a heating base
74 of a
cartridge 8 according to some embodiments of this application. An opening 762
is
located on a surface on the heating base 74. The opening 762 is close to a
surface of
a heating assembly 73. A filter screen 77 covers the opening 762. A ring 79
fixes the
filter screen 77 to the opening 762. The ring 79 may be made of a metal or
plastic
material. The filter screen 77 and a micropore 770 penetrates through an
opening 761
of a tube 76 and is exposed to an exterior of the cartridge 8. According to
the heating
base 74 in FIG. 13, when the user inhales, air flows through a passage P1
shown in
FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. When air flows through a vaporization chamber 75 (a lower
portion of a heating assembly 15 is exposed to a vaporization chamber 153) at
a lower
portion of a heating assembly 73, heated and vaporized tobacco tar is mixed
with air,
which may condense the vaporized tobacco tar. The filter screen 77 and the
micropore
770 are in fluid communication with a passage P2. The filter screen 77 and the
micropore 770 are in fluid communication with the vaporization chamber 75 (a
lower
portion of the heating assembly 73 is exposed to the vaporization chamber 75).
The
filter screen 77 and the micropore 770 are in fluid communication with the
heating
assembly 75. The condensed tobacco tar may spill out and flow to the opening
762
of the tube 76. If the condensed tobacco tar spills out and flows to the
opening 762 of
the tube 76, the micropore 770 (as shown in FIG. 14) on the filter screen 77
will block
the condensed tobacco tar. The filter screen 77 may prevent tobacco tar from
leaking
from the tube 76 to the cartridge 8.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a filter screen 77 according to some
embodiments
of this application. In some embodiments, the filter screen 77 may be of a
circular
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
shape. A shape of the filter screen 77 may conform to a contour of an opening
761 or
an opening 762 of a tube 76. The shape of the filter screen 77 includes a
circular
shape, a semi-circular shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, or a
polygonal
shape. The thickness of the filter screen 77 is within a range from 0.1 mm to
0.5 mm.
The area of the filter screen 77 is within a range from 3 mm2 to 30 mm2. The
filter
screen 77 may be made of stainless steel or nylon. The filter screen 77
includes a
plurality of micropores 770. A diameter of one micropore 770 is within a range
from
0.01 mm to 0.2 mm. The area of the micropore 770 is less than the area of the
opening
761 or the area of the opening 762. A sum of areas of the plurality of
micropores 770
is within a range from 0.7 mm2 to 4 mm2. If condensed tobacco tar spills out
and
flows to the opening 761 or flows to the opening 762 of the tube 76, due to
surface
tension of the tobacco tar, the micropores 770 on the filter screen 77 will
block the
condensed tobacco tar. The filter screen 77 may prevent tobacco tar from
leaking
from the tube 76 to the cartridge 8.
Throughout the specification, references to "embodiment", "part of
embodiments",
"one embodiment", "another example", "example", "specific example" or "part of
examples" mean that at least one embodiment or example of the present
application
includes specific features, structures, or characteristics described in the
embodiment
or example. Thus, the descriptions appear throughout the specification, such
as "in
some embodiments," "in an embodiment," "in one embodiment," "in another
example," "in an example," "in a particular example" or "for example," are not
necessarily the same embodiment or example in the application.
As used herein, space-related terms such as "under", "below", "lower portion",
"above", "upper portion", "lower portion", "left side", "right side", and the
like may
be used herein to simply describe a relationship between one component or
feature
and another component or feature as shown in the figures. In addition to
orientation
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
shown in the figures, space-related terms are intended to encompass different
orientations of the device in use or operation. An apparatus may be oriented
in other
ways (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the space-related
descriptors
used herein may also be used for explanation accordingly. It should be
understood
that when a component is "connected" or "coupled" to another component, the
component may be directly connected to or coupled to another component, or an
intermediate component may exist.
As used herein, the terms "approximately", "basically", "substantially", and
"about"
are used to describe and explain small variations. When used in combination
with an
event or a situation, the terms may refer to an example in which an event or a
situation
occurs accurately and an example in which the event or situation occurs
approximately. As used herein with respect to a given value or range, the term
"about"
generally means in the range of 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.5% of the given value or
range. The range may be indicated herein as from one endpoint to another
endpoint
or between two endpoints. Unless otherwise specified, all ranges disclosed
herein
include endpoints. The term "substantially coplanar" may refer to two surfaces
within
a few micrometers (um) positioned along the same plane, for example, within 10
ium,
within 5 um, within 1 um, or within 0.5 ium located along the same plane. When
reference is made to "substantially" the same numerical value or
characteristic, the
term may refer to a value within 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.5% of the average of
the
values.
As used herein, the terms "approximately", "basically", "substantially", and
"about"
are used to describe and explain small variations. When used in combination
with an
event or a situation, the terms may refer to an example in which an event or a
situation
occurs accurately and an example in which the event or situation occurs
approximately. For example, when being used in combination with a value, the
term
26
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
may refer to a variation range of less than or equal to 10% of the value, for
example,
less than or equal to 5%, less than or equal to 4%, less than or equal to
3%, less
than or equal to 2%, less than or equal to 1%, less than or equal to 0.5%,
less than
or equal to 0.1%, or less than or equal to 0.05%. For example, if a
difference
between two values is less than or equal to 10% of an average value of the
value
(for example, less than or equal to 5%, less than or equal to 4%, less than
or equal
to 3%, less than or equal to 2%, less than or equal to 1%, less than or
equal to
0.5%, less than or equal to 0.1%, or less than or equal to 0.05%), it could
be
considered that the two values are "substantially" the same. For example,
being
"substantially" parallel may refer to an angular variation range of less than
or equal
to 10 with respect to 0 , for example, less than or equal to 5 , less than
or equal
to 4 , less than or equal to 3 , less than or equal to 2 , less than or
equal to 1 ,
less than or equal to 0.5 , less than or equal to 0.1 , or less than or
equal to 0.05 .
For example, being "substantially" perpendicular may refer to an angular
variation
range of less than or equal to 10 with respect to 90 , for example, less
than or equal
to 5 , less than or equal to 4 , less than or equal to 3 , less than or
equal to 2 ,
less than or equal to 1 , less than or equal to 0.5 , less than or equal to
0.1 , or
less than or equal to 0.05 .
As used herein, the singular terms "a", "an", and "the" may include plural
referents
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the description of some
embodiments,
assemblies provided "on" or "above" another assembly may encompass a case in
which a former assembly is directly on a latter assembly (for example, in
physical
contact with the latter assembly), and a case in which one or more
intermediate
assemblies are located between the former assembly and the latter assembly.
Unless otherwise specified, spatial descriptions such as "above", "below",
"upper",
"left", "right", "lower", "top", "bottom", "vertical", "horizontal", "side",
"higher",
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
"lower", "upper portion", "on", "under", and "downward" are indicated relative
to the
orientations shown in the figures. It should be understood that the space
descriptions
used herein are merely for illustrative purposes, and actual implementations
of the
structures described herein may be spatially arranged in any orientation or
manner,
provided that the advantages of embodiments of the disclosure are not deviated
due
to such arrangement.
As used herein, the singular terms "a", "an", and "the" may include plural
referents
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the description of some
embodiments,
assemblies provided "on" or "above" another assembly may encompass a case in
which a former assembly is directly on a latter assembly (for example, in
physical
contact with the latter assembly), and a case in which one or more
intermediate
assemblies are located between the former assembly and the latter assembly.
Unless otherwise specified, spatial descriptions such as "above", "below",
"upper",
"left", "right", "lower", "top", "bottom", "vertical", "horizontal", "side",
"higher",
"lower", "upper portion", "on", "under", and "downward" are indicated relative
to the
orientations shown in the figures. It should be understood that the space
descriptions
used herein are merely for illustrative purposes, and actual implementations
of the
structures described herein may be spatially arranged in any orientation or
manner,
provided that the advantages of embodiments of the disclosure are not deviated
due
to such arrangement.
While the disclosure has been described and illustrated with reference to
specific
embodiments thereof, these descriptions and illustrations do not limit the
disclosure.
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may
be made
and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and
scope
of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The illustrations may not
be
28
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
CA 03154894 2022-03-17
necessarily drawn to scale. There may be distinctions between the artistic
renditions
in the disclosure and the actual apparatus due to manufacturing processes and
tolerances. There may be other embodiments of the disclosure which are not
specifically illustrated. The specification and drawings are to be regarded as
illustrative rather than restrictive. Modifications may be made to adapt a
particular
situation, material, composition of matter, method, or process to the
objective, spirit
and scope of the disclosure. All such modifications are intended to be within
the scope
of the claims appended hereto. While the methods disclosed herein have been
described with reference to particular operations performed in a particular
order, it
will be understood that these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-
ordered
to form an equivalent method without departing from the teachings of the
disclosure.
Therefore, unless otherwise specifically indicated herein, the order and
grouping of
operations shall not be construed as any limitation on the disclosure.
Several embodiments of the disclosure and features of details are briefly
described
above. The embodiments described in the disclosure may be easily used as a
basis for
designing or modifying other processes and structures for realizing the same
or
similar objectives and/or obtaining the same or similar advantages introduced
in the
embodiments of the disclosure. Such equivalent construction does not depart
from
the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and various variations, replacements,
and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure.
29
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-17
