EP4144237A1

EP4144237A1 - Improved vaping device and disposable capsule for use thereof

Info

Publication number: EP4144237A1
Application number: EP21195413.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alec WRIGHT; Andrew Robert John ROGAN
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2021-09-07
Filing date: 2021-09-07
Publication date: 2023-03-08

Abstract

Present invention relates to a vaping device (100) comprising a housing having a holding end (HE) and a mouth end (ME), comprising a power supply section (220), a vaporizing section (240), a capsule storage portion (260), the power supply section (220) comprises an electrical power supply (222) and a controller (224), the controller (224) is configured to control the electrical connection from the power supply (222) to a heating or a fuelling element (242) in order to generate heat, the vaporizing section (240) comprises the heating or fuelling element (242), a liquid channel (244) and a vapour channel (246), the heating or fuelling element (242) is connected through the liquid channel (244) to one end of the capsule storage portion (260), the capsule storage portion (260) is capable of accepting a plurality of capsule (20) arranged next to each other, forming an interconnected capsule assembly, the vapour channel (246) comprises a vapour inlet and a vapour outlet, allowing vapour to be released from the vaping device, characterized in that at least one spring element (25) is provided to the capsule storage portion (260), slidable or movable along the capsule storage portion (260) in a longitudinal direction, wherein the spring element (25) is configured in such a way to be urged to a first position when no capsule (20) are being loaded in the capsule storage portion (260), and the spring element (25) is pushed to a second or further positions when one or more capsule (20) are being loaded to the capsule storage portion (260).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of tobacco, more specifically to the electronic cigarette which produces vapour.

Background of the invention

Smoking devices which heat rather than burn vaporisable material, such as tobacco-containing substrate, to create a vapour for inhalation are becoming popular. They generally comprise a heat source powered by gas or electricity and a chamber for receiving a plug of vaporisable material or a disposable capsule containing a vapour-generating product. When in use, the plug or capsule is inserted into the device and heated by the heat source to generate a vapour for inhalation.
A number of vaping devices with capsules used for vaping in different purposes are known. For instance, patent document CN 212437303 U relates to an electronic cigarette with a power supply. The device for an electronic cigarette includes a body, having an air inlet, a suction port, and an air flow channel connecting the air inlet and the suction port, and the body is along the air flow channel. A first installation space and a second installation space are opened in the direction of airflow movement for the first and second cigarette cartridges to be installed outside.
Another patent document US 20190239558 discloses a smoking article including a capsule configured to release a liquid, preferably water, as an additive material providing modified sensory attributes. In the case of using a liquid-filled capsule for a smoking article, the capsule may be a non-directional capsule or preferably a directional capsule. A directional capsule is configured to break at predetermined rupture region and is adapted to direct liquid release into a desired direction or towards a particularly desired region of the smoking article.
These vaping device having capsules often have several drawbacks. For instance, some capsules are structurally integrated with the device and they are not easily replaceable or disposable. Other capsules may be disposable upon consummation; however, the volume of the liquid is either too little or too much to suit according to the needs of different users, as some users may have to carry additional capsules to replace the used capsules. Moreover, when more than one capsules are being placed within the vaping device, the vaping device needs to be equipped with a mechanism in response to the amount of the capsules that are being placed within the vaping device.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved vaping device to cope with the increased number of capsules loaded within the vaping device, as well as an improved capsule for a vaping device.

Summary of the invention

The present inventors have found solutions to the above-posed problems through the present invention as illustrated in the present specification.
In a first aspect, present invention relates to a vaping device comprising: a housing having a holding end and a mouth end, comprising a power supply section, a vaporizing section, a capsule storage portion, the power supply section comprises an electrical power supply and a controller, the controller is configured to control the electrical connection from the power supply to a heating or a fueling element in order to generate heat, the vaporizing section comprises the heating or fueling element, a liquid channel and a vapour channel, the heating or fueling element is connected through the liquid channel to one end of the capsule storage portion, the capsule storage portion is capable of accepting a plurality of capsule arranged next to each other, forming an interconnected capsule assembly, the vapour channel comprises a vapour inlet and a vapour outlet, allowing vapour to be released from the vaping device, characterized in that at least one spring element is provided to the capsule storage portion, slidable or movable along the capsule storage portion in a longitudinal direction, wherein the spring element is configured in such a way to be urged to a first position when no capsule are being loaded in the capsule storage portion, and the spring element is pushed to a second or further positions when one or more capsule are being loaded to the capsule storage portion. The spring element allows the capsules to be constantly fed towards the liquid channel such that liquid substance can be vaporized by the heating or fueling element.
According to some embodiments, the capsule storage portion is substantially elongated, wherein the spring element is movable or slidable in a longitudinal direction along the elongated capsule storage portion. This allows the capsules to be urged towards the vaporizing section. When more capsules are being loaded into the capsule storing portion, the spring element located therein will be tensed in order to make space for the capsules.
According to some embodiments, the spring element is provided to move or slide along a rod element arranged parallel to the elongated capsule storage portion. The rod element can be provided extending parallel to the longitudinally axis of the spring element. This serves as a guide to allow the spring element to extend or retract accordingly without damaging the capsules.
According to some embodiments, the capsule storage portion comprises two or more parallel sections, each section is configured to accept a plurality of capsule. This allows higher amount of liquid substance to be vaporized as well as allowing more capsules to be stored within the vaping device.
According to yet some other embodiments, one heating or fueling element is provided to vaporize the liquid substance fed by two capsules. This is advantageous as it produces a mixed flavour from two different capsules having different liquid substance.
According to yet some other embodiments, at least one spring element is provided to the power supply section such that the vaporizing section is urged towards the capsule storing portion.
According to a preferred embodiment, the capsule storing portion is an elongated portion of at least 5 cm preferably at least 8 cm. This ensures multiple capsules can be loaded to the storing portion.
By "about" or "approximately" in relation to a given numerical value, it is meant to include numerical values within 10% of the specified value. All values given in the present disclosure are to be understood to be complemented by the word "about", unless it is clear to the contrary from the context.
The indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, thus should be treated broadly.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
A tobacco-containing substrate can be any compound, mixture, particle matter, material and/or solution that contains and/or carries a constituent of tobacco, either artificially included or naturally contained in tobacco, e.g. tobacco, tobacco particles, tobacco flavor and/or nicotine. The liquid substance according to the present invention may comprises the tobacco-containing substrate.
As used herein, the term "vaping device" refers to a device for producing a vapour and/or aerosol that is intended to be heated rather than combusted in order to release volatile compounds that can form a vapour and/or an aerosol.
As used herein, the term "vapour" refers to a material, upon heating, capable of releasing volatile compounds, which can form a vapour and/or an aerosol. The vapour generated from liquid substance described herein may be visible or invisible and may include aerosol (for example, fine particles of substances, which are in a gaseous state, that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature) as well as gases and liquid droplets of condensed vapours.
An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or similar devices like electronic pipes or heat-not-burn devices, as referred to in the present invention, are not particularly limited, and may be used to provide a user with an aerosol to inhale. It can, according to certain embodiments, comprise a mouthpiece, a heater, a receiving portion, e.g. a pod, stick, capsule and a casing.

Brief description of the figures

Figures 1A and 1B demonstrate a schematic view of the vaping device according to one embodiment of the present invention loaded with capsules.
Figures 2A and 2B demonstrate a schematic view of the vaping device according to another embodiment of the present invention loaded with capsules.
Figure 3A shows a schematic perspective view of the capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3B shows a schematic perspective view of a plurality of capsules according to the Figure 3A stacked upon each other.
Figure 4A shows a schematic perspective view of the capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4B shows a schematic perspective view of a plurality of capsules according to the Figure 4A stacked upon each other.

Detailed description of the invention

The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application or uses.
Figures 1A and 1B demonstrate a first example of the vaping device 100 according to the present invention. The vaping device 100 is generally an elongated housing, comprising a holding end HE and a mouth end ME where a mouth piece can be attached thereon. The vaping device 100 comprises a power supply section 220, a vaporizing section 240 and a capsule storing portion 260.
In the power supply section 220, an electrical power supply 222 and a controller 224 can be found, powered for example by a battery, wherein the controller 224 is configured to control the electrical connection from the power supply to a heating or a fuelling element for generating heat. The vaporizing section 240 comprises the heating or fuelling element 242, at least one liquid channel 244 and at least partly a vapour channel 246. When the capsule 20 is loaded to the capsule storing portion 260, an opening of the capsule 20 is connected to the liquid channel 244 so that the liquid substance of the capsule 20 can be passed through the liquid channel 244 to reach the heating or fuelling element 242 to be vaporized before being released out of the vaping device 100 through the vapour channel 246. The capsule storing portion 260 comprises an elongated storing capacity such that it allows a plurality of capsules 20 to be housed within. The capsule storing portion 260 of the vaping device 100 can be for instance loaded from the mouth end ME where a spring element 25 is attached thereto. The spring element 25 can be for instance permanently attached to the mouth ME through a cap of the vaping device. The cap can be removed so that the capsules 20 can be loaded to the capsule storing portion 260. Due to the spring force of the spring element 25, the capsules 20 are urged towards the liquid channel 244 so that the opening of the capsule 20 is accepted by the liquid channel 244.
In order words, the spring element 25 is provided to be urged towards a first position e.g., towards the vaporizing section 240 in a normal condition (when no capsules are loaded). When one or more capsules 20 are loaded in the capsule storing portion 260, the spring element 25 is therefore urged towards a second position e.g., the mouth end ME. Figure 1B shows an example where two capsules 20 are being loaded into the capsule storing portion 260 where the spring element 25 is tensed and urged towards the mouth end ME, as can be seen in the Figure 1B. Thanks to the spring element 25, the capsules 20 are urged towards the vaporizing section 240. As the seals of the capsule 20 are provided to be easily tearable or ruptured, they can be ruptured when a force higher than a predetermined value is reached such as when the spring element 25 pushes the capsule 20 towards the vaporizing section 240. Alternatively, a user may manually break the seals of the capsule 20 through a joystick or a button provided on the housing of the vaping device 100.
It is disclosed herein that the spring element 25 can be provided having a length of 5 cm (when not being tensed), or preferably up to 8 cm. The spring element is preferably made of a steel element in order to withstand rust and heat.
Figures 2A and 2B are another example of the vaping device 100. This example differs to the first example shown in the Figures 1A and 1B in that a dominant spring element 225 is provided to the power supply section 220. The dominant spring element 225 serves to urge the vaporizing section 240 towards the capsule storing portion 260. In order words, both the spring element 25 in the capsule storing portion 25 and the dominant spring element 225 in the power supply section urge both the vaporizing section 240 and the capsules 20 towards each other, thereby ensuring the liquid substance can be transferred successfully to the heating or fuelling element 242 and can be vaporized.
Figure 3A shows an exemplary of a capsule 20 according a first embodiment which may be used in the present vaping device 100. The capsule 20 can be provided in a cylindrical shape, having a male connector 12 and a female connector 14 provided on an opposite location of the capsule 20. Preferably, the male connector 12 is a protruding structure whereas the female connector 14 is an acceptor or a concave structure for accepting the male connector 12. It is preferably that the female connector 14 is situated within the capsule 20. However, it can be provided to be located outside of the main body of the capsule 20. The capsule 20 comprises a housing, wherein liquid substance is contained within. The housing of the capsule 20 can be made of a plastic material such as polyethylene or silicone material in order to ensure for lightweight. Alternatively, biodegradable material can be used to make the housing such as said capsule can be degraded easily than plastic material. The capsule can contain between 1 ml and 50 ml of liquid substance for instance, or preferably between 2 ml and 20 ml.
A sealed opening 15 is provided on the surface of each of the male connector 12 and the female connector 14. The sealed opening 15 may be a weakened point which is easily ruptured upon distortion. As the male connector 12 and the female connector 14 comprises a complimentary surface and shape to mate with a female connector and a male connector of other capsules, respectively, hence no liquid is leaked from the two connected capsules 20. Once the two capsules 20 are connected to each other, their sealed openings 15 are ruptured or broken due to the distortion force, thus allowing the liquid substance contained in the two capsules to communicate and flow freely through the sealed openings 15.
As can be seen in the Figure 3A, the female connector 14 comprises a substantially circular base area having an accepting lip element having a primary sealed opening 15. Similarly, the male connector 12 comprises a substantially circular base area with a dome structure having a primary sealed opening 15. When a male connector 12 of a capsule 20 and a female connector 14 of another capsule, or vice versa, are mated, the primary sealed openings 15 are ruptured, thereby allowing liquid substance of the capsules to communicate. It is disclosed herein that the sealed openings 15 may preferably has a thickness of less than 0.5 mm, preferably less than 0.2 mm to allow easy rupture. The sealed opening 15 once being ruptured, a permanent opening will be created and thus the capsule 20 is no longer watertight. As illustrated in the Figure 3B, multiple capsules can be stacked and connected with each other, like Lego pieces. When the male connector 12 and the female connector are mated, due to their complimentary shapes and surfaces, an airtight connection between the male connector 12 and the female connector 14 can be created, thus ensuring the liquid substance within the capsules 20 remained inside the capsules 20.
To this end, it is reiterated that the accepting lip of the female connector 14 comprises a surface and a periphery complimentary to the male connector 12 such that when the female connector 14 and the male connector 12 are mated, the accepting lip of the female connector 14 surrounds the male connector 12 in a water-tight manner. This can be achieved as the material of said parts are elastomeric material so that the accepting lips for instance can wrap tightly around the other parts. It is disclosed that several valves can be provided to the capsule 20. For example, the valve can be provided to the male connector 12 and/or female connector 14 and/or nipple 22, 24 of the capsule 20.
Figures 4A and 4B show another embodiment of the invention, wherein a secondary protruding element is provided to the male connector 12 and/or the female connector 14. In this example, a nipple 22, 24 is provided to the top of the male connector 12 and the female connector 14, respectively, wherein a secondary sealed opening 25 can be seen provided on the surface of the nipple. To this end, it is disclosed that the characteristics and the features of the secondary sealed opening 25 can be identical to the primary sealed opening 15.
In this example, a two-step rupturing of the sealed openings 15, 25 are provided to the capsule. When a user connects the male connector 12 of a capsule 20 with a female connector 14 or another capsule 20, the two capsules 20 are connected while the primary sealed openings 15 are being ruptured while the secondary sealed openings 25 remained intact. A typical "click" sound may be heard when the two capsules 20 are connected to each other in order to notify the user that the connection has been established. This can be realised by providing a pin or little protruding-like element on the male connector 12 and grooves on the female connector 14. A plurality of capsules 20 can be connected in the similar manner, as seen in the Figure 4B.
The secondary sealed openings 25 can then be ruptured to established fluid communication when the user decides to operate the battery of capsules 20 by pressing the capsules for example through the two longitudinal ends. As the secondary sealed openings 25 are ruptured only after the primary sealed openings 15, a fluid communication of the liquid substance between the capsules 20 is therefore established. This allows the user to enjoy the content of the capsule with an increased volume without needing to replace the empty capsule frequently. Alternatively, the user has always some additional capsules 20 available and may decide whenever to furnish the vaping device with the additional liquid substance. This provides the user with a higher degree of freedom and flexibility.

Claims

A vaping device (100) comprising:
A housing having a holding end (HE) and a mouth end (ME), comprising a power supply section (220), a vaporizing section (240), a capsule storage portion (260),

the power supply section (220) comprises an electrical power supply (222) and a controller (224), the controller (224) is configured to control the electrical connection from the power supply (222) to a heating or a fueling element (242) in order to generate heat,

the vaporizing section (240) comprises the heating or fueling element (242), a liquid channel (244) and a vapour channel (246),

the heating or fueling element (242) is connected through the liquid channel (244) to one end of the capsule storage portion (260),

the capsule storage portion (260) is capable of accepting a plurality of capsule (20) arranged next to each other, forming an interconnected capsule assembly,

the vapour channel (246) comprises a vapour inlet and a vapour outlet, allowing vapour to be released from the vaping device,

characterized in that at least one spring element (25) is provided to the capsule storage portion (260), slidable or movable along the capsule storage portion (260) in a longitudinal direction, wherein the spring element (25) is configured in such a way to be urged to a first position when no capsule (20) are being loaded in the capsule storage portion (260), and the spring element (25) is pushed to a second or further positions when one or more capsule (20) are being loaded to the capsule storage portion (260).
The vaping device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the capsule storage portion (260) is substantially elongated, wherein the spring element (25) is movable or slidable in a longitudinal direction along the elongated capsule storage portion (260).
The vaping device (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the spring element (25) is provided to move or slide along a rod element arranged parallel to the elongated capsule storage portion (260).
The vaping device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule storage portion (260) comprises two or more parallel sections, each section is configured to accept a plurality of capsule (20).
The vaping device (100) according to claim 4, wherein one heating or fueling element is provided to vaporize the liquid substance fed by two capsules (20).
The vaping device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one dominant spring element (225) is provided to the power supply section (220) such that the vaporizing section (240) is urged towards the capsule storing portion (260).
The vaping device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule storing portion (260) is an elongated portion of at least 5 cm preferably at least 8 cm.