EP3422882A1

EP3422882A1 - Flavor assembly for electronic vaping device

Info

Publication number: EP3422882A1
Application number: EP17711580.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerd Kobal; San Li
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2016-03-03
Filing date: 2017-03-03
Publication date: 2019-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-03
Also published as: CA3009956A1; EP3422882B1; JP6971993B2; US20170251722A1; JP2019510477A; RU2724175C2; WO2017149154A1; CN108697170A; KR20180117614A; RU2018134604A3; MX2018010345A; CN108697170B; KR102398297B1; RU2018134604A

Abstract

A flavor assembly (14) for an e-vaping device cartridge (70) encloses a porous structure (202) that enables elution of flavorants from the structure (202) to form a flavored vapor. The structure (202) may include a three-dimensional network of material. The flavorant may be infused in the material. The material may include a botanical material. The material may draw the flavorant from a reservoir (23). The flavor assembly (14) may direct a raw vapor formed by a vaporizer assembly (22) to pass through the porous structure (202), so that the flavorant is eluted from the structure (202) into the vapor to form the flavored vapor. The flavor assembly (14) may be removably coupled with a vaporizer assembly (22). The flavor assembly (14) may be removably received into a flavor assembly compartment (413). The flavor assembly compartment (413) may be removably coupled to a vaporizer assembly (22). Flavor assemblies (14) may be swapped from the e-vaping device (10) to enable swapping of flavors provided to adult vapers during vaping.

Description

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 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 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. 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 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 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. 1 B 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. 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, 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 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. 1 B 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. 1 B, 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. 1 B, for example, interface 74 includes a connector element 91 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.1 B, 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 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. 1 B, 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. 1 B, 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 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. 1 B, 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 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. Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1 B, 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 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. 1 B, 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 one portion of the power supply 12, as shown in FIG. 1 B.

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. 1 B, for example, electrical lead 26-2 is coupled to the interface 74. As further shown in FIG. 1 B, the power supply section 72 includes a lead 92 that couples the control circuitry 1 1 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 1 1 , 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. 1 B, 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 1 1 , described further below, is configured to be coupled to the power supply 12, such that the control circuitry 1 1 may control the supply of electrical power from the power supply 12 to one or more elements of the cartridge 70. The control circuitry 1 1 may control the supply of electrical power to the element based on controlling the established electrical circuit. For example, the control circuitry 1 1 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. 1 B, 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 1 1. 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. 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. 1 B, 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. 1 B, 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 1 1 may control the supply of electrical power to the heater 24 responsive to the sensor 13. In some example embodiments, the control circuitry 1 1 may include a maximum, time-period limiter. In some example embodiments, the control circuitry 1 1 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 1 1 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 1 1 may execute one or more instances of computer-executable program code. The control circuitry 1 1 may include a processor and a memory. The memory may be a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code.

The control circuitry 1 1 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 1 1 may be at least one of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and an ASIC chip.

The control circuitry 1 1 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 1 1 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 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 1 1 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. 1 A 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, benzoic acid, oleic acid, aconitic acid, butyric acid, cinnamic acid, decanoic acid, 3,7-dimethyl-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 1 1 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 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 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 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 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. In some example embodiments, the e-vaping device 10 may be about 80 millimetres to about 1 10 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. 1 B.

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 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. 1 A and FIG. 1 B.

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 1 1 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. 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 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 241 A and 241 B, 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 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 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 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.

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 e-vaping device 10 shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1 B. 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. 1 B 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 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 41 1 , 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. 1 B.

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 41 1 . 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 41 1 , such that the flavor assembly 14 held within the housing 41 1 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 41 1 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 41 1 . 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 41 1 may direct raw vapor received into the flavor assembly compartment 413 through the conduit 437 to pass through the flavor assembly 14. 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 41 1 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. 1 B.

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. 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.

Claims

1. A cartridge for an electronic vaping device (EVD), the cartridge comprising:

a vaporizer assembly configured to form a raw vapor; and

a flavor assembly removably coupled to the vaporizer assembly such that the flavor assembly is in flow communication with the vaporizer assembly, the flavor assembly enclosing a porous structure, the porous structure holding at least one flavorant, the flavor assembly being configured to form a flavored vapor based on elution of the at least one flavorant into the raw vapor, the elution being based on the raw vapor passing through the porous structure.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the porous structure includes a three-dimensional (3D) network of material.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the material is substantially inert with respect to the raw vapor.

4. The cartridge of claim 2 or 3, wherein the material is at least partially infused with the at least one flavorant.

5. The cartridge of claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the material includes at least one botanical substance, the at least one botanical substance including the at least one flavorant.

6. The cartridge of any preceding claim, wherein

the flavor assembly includes a reservoir, the reservoir being configured to hold the at least one flavorant; and

the porous structure includes a wicking material, the wicking material being configured to draw the at least one flavorant from the reservoir.

7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein

the reservoir is a hollow cylinder having an inner surface; and

the porous structure extends along the inner surface of the reservoir.

8. A flavor assembly, comprising:

a porous structure configured to be removably coupled to a vaporizer assembly, the porous structure being 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 including, a three-dimensional (3D) network of material, the material being substantially inert respective to the raw vapor; and

at least one flavorant held in flow communication with an external environment of the flavor assembly by the 3D network of material.

9. The flavor assembly of claim 8, wherein the material is at least partially infused with the at least one flavorant.

10. The flavor assembly of claim 8 or 9, wherein the material includes at least one botanical substance, the at least one botanical substance including the at least one flavorant.

1 1. The flavor assembly of claim 8, 9 or 10, further comprising:

a reservoir, the reservoir being configured to hold the at least one flavorant;

wherein the porous structure includes a wicking material, the wicking material being configured to draw the at least one flavorant from the reservoir.

12. The flavor assembly of claim 1 1 , wherein

the reservoir is a hollow cylinder having an inner surface; and

the porous structure extends along the inner surface of the reservoir.

13. The flavor assembly of any of claims 8 to 12, wherein

the flavor assembly is 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, and

the porous structure is 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.

14. A flavor assembly module for an electronic vaping device (EVD), the flavor assembly module comprising:

an interface configured to removably couple with a vaporizer assembly;

a flavor assembly compartment configured to hold a flavor assembly; and

a conduit extending between the interface and the flavor assembly compartment, the conduit configured to direct raw vapor from the vapor assembly to the flavor assembly compartment; the flavor assembly compartment being 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.

15. The flavor assembly module of claim 14, wherein the flavor assembly compartment is configured to removably receive the flavor assembly.

16. An e-vaping device, comprising:

a vaporizer assembly compartment holding a vaporizer assembly, the vaporizer assembly being configured to form a raw vapor;

a flavor assembly compartment holding a flavor assembly in flow communication with the vaporizer assembly, the flavor assembly enclosing a porous structure, the porous structure holding at least one flavorant;

wherein the flavor assembly compartment is 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; and

a power supply section configured to selectively supply power to the vaporizer assembly.

17. The e-vaping device of claim 16, wherein the porous structure includes a three- dimensional (3D) network of material.

18. The e-vaping device of claim 17, wherein the material is substantially inert with respect to the raw vapor.

19. The e-vaping device of claim 17 or 18, wherein the material is at least partially infused with the at least one flavorant.

20. The e-vaping device of claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the material includes at least one botanical substance, the at least one botanical substance including the at least one flavorant.

21. The e-vaping device of any of claims 16 to 20, wherein

the flavor assembly further includes a reservoir, the reservoir being configured to hold the at least one flavorant; and

22. The e-vaping device of any of claims 16 to 21 , further comprising: a partition between the flavor assembly compartment and the vaporizer assembly compartment, the partition including a conduit, the conduit extending through the partition and being in flow communication with both the flavor assembly compartment and the vaporizer assembly compartment.

23. The e-vaping device of any of claims 16 to 22, wherein

the flavor assembly compartment is configured to removably receive the flavor assembly.

24. The e-vaping device of any of claims 16 to 23, wherein

the vaporizer assembly compartment is configured to removably receive the vaporizer assembly.