RU2776503C2 - Cartridge for vaping device, method of manufacturing cartridge for vaping device and vaping device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: tobacco industry.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to the tobacco industry, namely to a cartridge for a vaping device, a vaping device and a method for the manufacture of a cartridge for a vaping device. The cartridge for the vaping device contains a case and a reservoir inside the case, made with the possibility of accommodation of the finished vaping composition. The cartridge also includes the first tube passing longitudinally inside the case. The first tube at least partially forms a central air passage. The central air passage contains the first part, the second part and the third part. The first part, the second part and the third part of the central air passage are in communication with each other. The cartridge also includes a vapor generator communicating with the first part of the central air passage. The vapor generator is made with the possibility of transfer of the finished vaping composition from the reservoir to the first part of the central air passage and at least partial evaporation of the finished vaping composition with the formation of vapor. The cartridge contains the first air inlet communicating with the second part of the central air passage, while the second part of the central air passage is located between the vapor generator and the first air inlet. The cartridge contains a dilution air inlet crossing the third part of the central air passage, wherein the third part of the central air passage is located between the vapor generator and an outlet of the cartridge. The dilution air inlet forms a passage for dilution air that does not pass through the vapor generator. The cartridge case forms the second air inlet for the cartridge, while the second air inlet partially forms a passage for dilution air.

EFFECT: increase in the amount of vapor due to an increase in the average size of composite particles of generated vapor.

18 cl, 9 dwg

Description

The exemplary embodiments generally relate to an airflow design for an e-vaping (vaping) cartridge, including cartridges containing a flame-retardant vaping tobacco insert, where the airflow design can improve the experience. Exemplary embodiments also include a cartridge manufacturing method and a vaping device comprising the cartridge.

Electronic vaping (vaping) devices, and in particular vaping device cartridges, can capture an air stream with an at least partially vaporized finished vaping composition to generate generated vapor within the device (see, for example, WO 2017081299 A1). The generated vapor may then be cooled and condensed to some extent as the generated vapor passes through the device prior to being discharged. As the vapor particles condense, the particles may coalesce and combine to form larger vapor particles, and the size distribution of the particles in the generated vapor may influence the sensing process.

At least one exemplary embodiment relates to a cartridge.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a housing; a reservoir within the housing, wherein the reservoir is configured to contain the finished composition for evaporation; a first tube extending longitudinally inside the housing, wherein the first tube at least partially forms a central air passage, the central air passage comprising a first part, a second part and a third part, wherein the first part, the second part and the third part of the central passage for air communicated with each other; a steam generator in communication with the first part of the central air passage, the steam generator being configured to transfer the finished evaporation composition from the reservoir to the first part of the central air passage and at least partially vaporize the finished evaporation composition to form steam; a first air inlet communicating with a second portion of the central air passage, the second portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the first air inlet; and a dilution air inlet intersecting a third of the central air passage, the third portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the cartridge outlet, the dilution air inlet forming a dilution air passage that does not pass through the generator pair.

In one embodiment, the cartridge further comprises an air flow restrictor within the central air passage, wherein the air flow restrictor is located in at least one of the second portion of the central air passage and the third portion of the central air passage.

In one embodiment, the air flow restrictor is one of a flow tube and a gasket.

In one embodiment, the air flow restrictor is a flow tube, wherein the flow tube has a length of about 8 mm to 12 mm, wherein the flow tube has a first inside diameter of about 0.8 mm to 2 mm, and a second inside diameter of the first portion the central air passage is in the range of approximately 2 mm to 6 mm.

In one embodiment, the air restrictor is a gasket, wherein the gasket is about 1 mm long, the gasket has a third inner diameter of about 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm, and the fourth inner diameter of the first portion of the central air passage is in the range from about 2 mm to 6 mm.

In one embodiment, the air flow restrictor is located in the third portion of the central air passage, with the dilution air inlet intersecting the third portion of the central air passage between the cartridge outlet and the outlet end of the air restrictor.

In one embodiment, the air restrictor is located in the second portion of the central air passage, with the outlet end of the air restrictor spaced from the steam generator by about 2 mm to 30 mm.

In one embodiment, the air restrictor is located in the second portion of the central air passage, with the outlet end of the air restrictor spaced from the steam generator to provide the expected air flow through the cartridge to achieve the expected constant Reynolds number before passing through the steam generator during functional use. cartridge.

In one embodiment, the housing defines a second air inlet for the cartridge, with the second air inlet partially forming a dilution air passage.

In one embodiment, the center air passage and the dilution air passage are sized to provide a first expected air volume flow through the center air passage and a second expected air volume flow through the dilution air passage that are in a ratio of approximately 60:40 in time of functional use of the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the end of the dilution air inlet is directly in communication with the second part of the central air passage, the dilution air inlet being a bypass that surrounds the steam generator.

In one embodiment, the center air passage and the dilution air passage are sized to provide a first expected air volume flow through the center air passage and a second expected air volume flow through the dilution air passage that are in a ratio of approximately 1:1 in time of functional use of the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the cartridge further comprises a non-flammable vaping tobacco insert located in at least one of the second part and the third part of the central air passage, while the vapor generator includes a heater configured to at least partially vaporize the finished vaping composition, wherein the heater is in communication with the first part of the central air passage; and a wick in communication with the heater and the reservoir, wherein the wick is configured to transfer the finished vaporization composition from the reservoir to the heater.

At least one more exemplary embodiment relates to a method for manufacturing a cartridge.

In one embodiment, the cartridge comprises a first tube extending longitudinally within the body, the first tube at least partially defining a central air passage, the central air passage comprising a first part, a second part, and a third part of the central air passage that communicate with each other, the steam generator communicating with the first part of the central air passage, and the first air inlet communicating with the second part of the central air passage, while the second part of the central air passage is located between the steam generator and the first air inlet ; the method includes providing a dilution air inlet in the cartridge, wherein the dilution air inlet crosses a third part of the central air passage, wherein the third part of the central passage is located between the steam generator and the cartridge outlet, wherein the dilution air inlet forms a dilution air passage that does not pass through the steam generator; and inserting an air flow restrictor inside the central air passage, wherein the air flow restrictor is located in at least one of the second part of the central air passage and the third part of the central air passage, the air flow restrictor being one of the flow tube and the gasket .

In one embodiment, the flow tube has a length of about 8 mm to 12 mm and a first inside diameter of about 0.8 mm to 2 mm, with the gasket having a length of about 1 mm and a second inside diameter of about 0.6 mm to 1 mm. 0 mm, and the third inner diameter of the first part of the central air passage is in the range of about 2 mm to 6 mm.

In one embodiment, the housing defines a second air inlet for the cartridge, with the second air inlet partially forming a dilution air passage.

In one embodiment, the end of the dilution air inlet is directly in communication with the second part of the central air passage, the dilution air inlet being a bypass that surrounds the steam generator.

At least one more exemplary embodiment relates to a vaping device.

In one embodiment, the vaping device comprises a cartridge comprising a first body; a reservoir inside the first housing, wherein the reservoir is configured to contain the finished composition for evaporation; a first tube extending longitudinally within the first housing, the first tube at least partially forming a central air passage, the central air passage comprising a first part, a second part and a third part of the central air passage that are in communication with each other; a steam generator in communication with the first part of the central air passage, the steam generator being configured to transfer the finished vaporization composition from the reservoir to the first portion of the central air passage and at least partially vaporize the finished vaporization composition to form steam; a first air inlet communicating with a second portion of the central air passage, the second portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the first air inlet, the dilution air inlet intersecting the third portion of the central air passage, wherein the third part of the central air passage is located between the steam generator and the outlet of the cartridge, while the dilution air inlet forms a dilution air passage that does not pass through the steam generator; an air flow restrictor within the central air passage, the air flow restrictor being disposed in at least one of a second portion of the central air passage and a third portion of the central air passage; and a supply section configured to be connected to the cartridge, the supply section comprising a second housing, the second housing forming a second air inlet, the second air inlet communicating with the first air inlet of the cartridge if the supply section is connected with a cartridge, a sensor configured to detect air flow through the central air passage if the power section is connected to the cartridge, and a power source configured to supply electrical energy to the cartridge vapor generator if the power section is connected to the cartridge and the sensor detects air flow through central air passage.

In one embodiment, the air restrictor has a first cross-sectional area that is between about 5% and 25% of the second cross-sectional area of the first portion of the central air passage, wherein the air restrictor is one of a flow tube and a gasket, wherein the housing defines a third air inlet for the cartridge, wherein the third air inlet partially defines a dilution air passage.

In one embodiment, the air restrictor has a first cross-sectional area that is between about 5% and 25% of the second cross-sectional area of the first portion of the central air passage, wherein the air restrictor is one of a flow tube and a gasket, wherein the dilution air inlet directly communicates with the third part of the central air passage, the dilution air inlet being a bypass that surrounds the steam generator.

Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge for a vaping device, comprising:

frame;

a reservoir inside the housing, configured to contain the finished composition for evaporation;

the first tube extending longitudinally inside the housing, the first tube at least partially forming a central air passage, the central air passage comprising a first part, a second part and a third part, wherein the first part, the second part and the third part of the central air passage air are in communication with each other;

a steam generator in communication with the first portion of the central air passage, the vapor generator configured to transfer the finished vaporization composition from the reservoir to the first portion of the central air passage and at least partially vaporize the finished vaporization composition to form steam;

a first air inlet communicating with a second portion of the central air passage, the second portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the first air inlet; and

a dilution air inlet crossing a third of the central air passage, the third portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the cartridge outlet, the dilution air inlet forming a dilution air passage that does not pass through the steam generator,

wherein the housing defines a second air inlet for the cartridge, wherein the second air inlet partially defines a dilution air passage.

Preferably, the cartridge further comprises an air flow restrictor within the central air passage, wherein the air flow restrictor is located in at least one of the second portion of the central air passage and the third portion of the central air passage.

Preferably, the air flow restrictor is one of a flow tube and a gasket.

Preferably, the air restrictor is a flow tube, wherein the flow tube has a length of 8 mm to 12 mm, the flow tube has a first inside diameter of 0.8 mm to 2 mm, and the second inside diameter of the first portion of the central air passage is in the range from 2 mm to 6 mm.

Preferably, the air restrictor is a gasket, wherein the gasket is 1 mm long, the gasket has a third inner diameter of 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm, and a fourth inner diameter of the first portion of the central air passage is in the range of 2 mm up to 6 mm.

Preferably, the air flow restrictor is located in the third portion of the central air passage, with the dilution air inlet intersecting the third portion of the central air passage between the cartridge outlet and the outlet end of the air restrictor.

Preferably, the air flow restrictor is located in the second part of the central air passage, with the outlet end of the air restrictor spaced from the steam generator by a distance of 2 mm to 30 mm.

Preferably, the air restrictor is located in the second portion of the central air passage, with the outlet end of the air restrictor spaced from the vapor generator to provide the expected air flow through the cartridge to achieve the expected constant Reynolds number before passing through the vapor generator during functional use of the cartridge.

Preferably, the center air passage and the dilution air passage are sized to provide a first expected air volume flow through the center air passage and a second expected air volume flow through the dilution air passage that are in a ratio of 60:40 during functional use. cartridge.

Preferably, the end of the dilution air inlet is directly in communication with the second part of the central air passage, the dilution air inlet being a bypass that surrounds the steam generator.

Preferably, the center air passage and the dilution air passage are sized to provide a first expected air volume flow through the center air passage and a second expected air volume flow through the dilution air passage that are in a 1:1 ratio during functional use. cartridge.

Preferably, the cartridge further comprises:

a non-flammable tobacco insert for vaping located in at least one of the second part and the third part of the central air passage,

while the steam generator contains:

a heater configured to at least partially vaporize the finished vaporization composition, the heater being in communication with the first portion of the central air passage; and

a wick in communication with the heater and the reservoir, wherein the wick is configured to transfer the finished composition for evaporation from the reservoir to the heater.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a cartridge for a vaping device, comprising:

a first tube extending longitudinally within the housing, the first tube at least partially defining a central air passage, the central air passage comprising a first part, a second part and a third part of the central air passage that are in communication with each other;

a steam generator in communication with the first part of the central air passage, and

a first air inlet communicating with a second portion of the central air passage, the second portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the first air inlet,

wherein the method includes:

providing a dilution air inlet in the cartridge, wherein the dilution air inlet intersects a third portion of the center passage, the third portion of the center passage being between the steam generator and the outlet of the cartridge, the dilution air inlet forming a dilution air passage which does not pass through the steam generator; and

introducing an air flow restrictor inside the central air passage, wherein the air flow restrictor is located in at least one of the second part of the central air passage and the third part of the central air passage, wherein the air flow restrictor is one of the flow tube and gasket,

wherein the housing defines a second air inlet for the cartridge, wherein the second air inlet partially defines a dilution air passage.

Preferably, the flow tube has a length of 8 mm to 12 mm and a first inner diameter of 0.8 mm to 2 mm, the gasket having a length of 1 mm and a second inner diameter of 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm, and a third inner diameter the first part of the central air passage is in the range of 2 mm to 6 mm.

Preferably, the end of the dilution air inlet is directly in communication with the second part of the central air passage, the dilution air inlet being a bypass that surrounds the steam generator.

According to the third object of the present invention, a vaping device is provided, comprising:

cartridge containing:

first body,

a reservoir inside the first housing, configured to contain the finished composition for evaporation,

a first tube extending longitudinally within the first body, the first tube at least partially forming a central air passage, the central air passage comprising a first part, a second part and a third part of the central air passage that are in communication with each other ;

a steam generator communicating with the first part of the central air passage, wherein the steam generator is configured to transfer the finished composition for evaporation from the reservoir to the first part of the central air passage and at least partially evaporate the finished composition for evaporation with the formation of steam,

a first air inlet communicating with a second portion of the central air passage, the second portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the first air inlet,

a dilution air inlet crossing a third of the central air passage, the third portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the cartridge outlet, the dilution air inlet forming a dilution air passage that does not pass through the steam generator,

wherein the housing forms a second air inlet for the cartridge, wherein the second air inlet partially forms a dilution air passage,

an air flow restrictor within the central air passage, the air flow restrictor being disposed in at least one of a second portion of the central air passage and a third portion of the central air passage; and

a power section configured to be connected to the cartridge, the power section comprising:

a second housing defining a second air inlet, the second air inlet communicating with the first air inlet of the cartridge if the supply section is connected to the cartridge,

a sensor configured to detect air flow through the central air passage if the supply section is connected to the cartridge, and

a power supply configured to supply electrical power to the vapor generator of the cartridge if the power section is connected to the cartridge and the sensor detects airflow through the central air passage.

Preferably, the air flow restrictor has a first cross-sectional area that is between 5% and 25% of the second cross-sectional area of the first portion of the central air passage, wherein the air restrictor is one of the flow tube and gasket, with the housing forming the third inlet an air port for the cartridge, wherein the third air inlet partially defines a dilution air passage.

Preferably, the air flow restrictor has a first cross-sectional area that is between 5% and 25% of the second cross-sectional area of the first portion of the central air passage, wherein the air restrictor is one of the flow tube and gasket, wherein the dilution fluid inlet air is directly in communication with the third part of the central air passage, the dilution air inlet being a bypass that surrounds the steam generator.

The above and other features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate exemplary embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the intended scope of the claims. The accompanying graphics are not to be taken to scale unless expressly stated.

In FIG. 1 illustrates a vaping device;

in fig. 2 illustrates a vaping device comprising a flow tube and dilution air cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment;

in fig. 3 illustrates a vaping device including a flow tube and dilution air cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment;

in fig. 4 illustrates a vaping device comprising a small diameter shim cartridge with dilution air according to an exemplary embodiment;

in fig. 5 illustrates a vaping device comprising a small diameter shim cartridge with dilution air according to an exemplary embodiment;

in fig. 6 illustrates a vaping device comprising a cartridge with a flow tube and a bypass airway according to an exemplary embodiment;

in fig. 7 illustrates a vaping device comprising a cartridge with a flow tube and a bypass air passage according to an exemplary embodiment;

in fig. 8 illustrates a vaping device comprising a flow tube and dilution air cartridge with a non-flammable tobacco vaping insert according to an exemplary embodiment; and

in fig. 9 illustrates a vaping device comprising a small diameter shim cartridge with dilution air, with a non-flammable tobacco insert for vaping according to an exemplary embodiment.

This document discloses some detailed exemplary embodiments. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are for the sole purpose of describing exemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments may be implemented in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Accordingly, while the exemplary embodiments may have various modifications and alternative forms, their embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments to the specific forms disclosed, but rather, the exemplary embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the scope of the exemplary embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

It should be understood that if an element or layer is designated as "located on", "connected to", "associated with" or "covering" another element or layer, it may be directly located on, connected to, associated with, or may cover another element or layer, or intermediate elements or layers may be present. Conversely, if an element is designated as "directly located on", "directly connected to", or "directly connected to" another element or layer, then there are no intermediate elements or layers. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

It should be understood, although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used in this document to describe various elements, components, regions, layers or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers or sections should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, the first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

The terms of relative spatial location (for example, "below", "under", "bottom", "above", "upper", etc.) may be used in this document for the purpose of simplifying the description to disclose the relationship of one element or feature to another. element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the terms of relative spatial arrangement are intended to cover various orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is upside down, then elements described as located "below" other elements or features or "below" them will be located "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the term "under" can cover both above and below. The device may be oriented in a different way (rotated 90 degrees or placed in other orientations), and definitions of relative spatial location used in this document will be interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is only intended to describe various embodiments and is not intended to limit exemplary embodiments. In the context of this document, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "comprises", "including", "comprises" and "comprising" when used in the present description indicate the presence of the specified features, integers, steps, operations, elements or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.

When the term "approximately" is used herein in conjunction with a numerical value, the associated numerical value is intended to include an error of ±10% of the stated numerical value. In addition, when referring to percentages in the present description, it is understood that these percentages are based on weight, i.e. are percentages by weight.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations, which are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of exemplary embodiments. Thus, changes in the forms of illustrations should be expected as a result of changes, for example, in manufacturing technologies or tolerances. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments should not be construed as being limited to the shapes of the regions illustrated herein, but should include variations in shapes that are due to, for example, the manufacturing process. Therefore, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of the device region, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as they are commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments relate. It should also be understood that terms, including those defined in common dictionaries, should be interpreted as having the meaning appropriate to their meaning in the context of the relevant technical field, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined. in this document.

In FIG. 1, an electronic vaping device 60 is illustrated. Device 60 may include two main sections: cartridge 70 and power section 72. Sections 70/72 may be connected to each other via a female connector 202 on cartridge section 70 and a male connector 204 on supply section 72 (or alternatively, cartridge section 70 may have a male connector and supply section 72 may have a female connector). Sections 70/72 may be held together by mating threads 205a/b. As an alternative to the threads 205a/b, another design may be used to connect the sections 70/72 to each other. For example, the sections 70/72 can be attached to each other by a friction fit, a snap-on connection, adhesive, a removable or plug-in pin, or other suitable design. Optionally, the supply section 72 may be permanently connected to the cartridge 70 such that the supply section 72 may be an integral section with the cartridge 70.

Cartridge 70 may be a disposable section, or optionally section 70 may instead be a non-disposable (rechargeable) section. Section 70 may include a "steam generator", wherein the steam generator may include a steam generating device that may include a heater 14 surrounding the wick 28, wherein the distal ends of the wick 28 may protrude into a reservoir 20 that is configured to contain the finished composition 22 for evaporation. Reservoir 20 may be at least partially formed by inner tube 10 and body 6b of cartridge 70. Heater 14 may be positioned within inner tube 10 where wick 28 may draw finished formulation 22 to evaporate from the reservoir by capillary action to heat and vaporize heater 14 of the finished composition 22 for evaporation.

In an embodiment, the wick 28 may be made of a fibrous and flexible material. The wick 28 may include at least one thread capable of drawing in the finished composition 22 for evaporation. For example, wick 28 may comprise a filament bundle, which may include glass (or ceramic) filaments. In another embodiment, the bundle may comprise a group of windings of glass filaments, such as three such windings, all of which can draw in the finished composition 22 for volatilization by capillary action due to the intermediate distance between the filaments.

In an embodiment, heater 14 may be in the form of a wire wrap, flat piece, ceramic piece, individual wire, resistive wire mesh, or any other suitable shape that can be configured to vaporize the finished vaporization composition. The heater 14 may extend in a direction which may be transverse to the longitudinal length of the passage in which the heater 14 may be located (the passage may be an outer air passage 19). In another embodiment, the heater 14 may be configured to extend along the longitudinal length of the outer air passage 19. Heater 14 may at least partially surround wick 28. Heater 14 may extend wholly or partially along the length of wick 28, wherein heater 14 may extend wholly or partially around the circumference of wick 28. In some exemplary embodiments, heater 14 may or may not be in contact with wick 28.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, heater 14 may be made from any suitable electrically resistive materials. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials may include, but are not limited to, copper, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys may include, but are not limited to, combinations of stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin- , gallium-, manganese- and iron-containing alloys and superalloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt and stainless steel. For example, the heater 14 may be made of nickel aluminides, a material with a layer of alumina on the surface, iron aluminides and other composite materials, while the electrically resistive material may, if necessary, be embedded in, encapsulated in or coated with an insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the required external physical and chemical properties. Heater 14 may comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, chromium-nickel alloys, superalloys, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, heater 14 may be formed from chromium-nickel alloys or iron-nickel alloys. In another exemplary embodiment, heater 14 may be a ceramic heater having an electrically resistive layer on its outer surface.

In another embodiment, the heater 14 may be made of iron aluminide (eg, FeAl or Fe ₃ Al). The use of iron aluminides can be advantageous since they can have a high resistivity. FeAl has a resistance of about 180 micro ohms, while stainless steel can have about 50 to 91 micro ohms. Greater resistivity reduces the current that may be drawn or the load on power supply 1 of section 72 of device 60. Instead of using a wick 28, heater 14 may be a porous material with sufficient capillarity, which may include a resistive heater formed from a material having a high electrical resistance. and able to quickly generate heat.

In other exemplary embodiments, heater 14 may be made from sheet metal, two pieces of which are folded into a semicircle and intertwined together. In other exemplary embodiments, heater 14 may be at least one of a serpentine heater housed within wick 28, a mesh heater, a flat plate heater, a Wismec Theorem heater with NotchCoil™, a spiral heater, a ceramic heating film, swirl heater and platinum heater.

When activated, heater 14 may be configured to heat a portion of wick 28 surrounded by heater 14 for less than about 10 seconds, or more preferably less than about 7 seconds. Therefore, the power cycle may range from about 2 seconds to about 10 seconds (eg, from about 3 seconds to about 9 seconds, from about 4 seconds to about 8 seconds, or from about 5 seconds to about 7 seconds).

The insert 8 at the mouth end of section 70 may either be permanently attached to the end of section 70, or alternatively the insert 8 at the mouth end may be removable. The other end of the section 70 may be at least partially sealed with a seal 15. The seal 15 may define a central air passage 20, wherein the central passage 20 may be in fluid communication with the outer air passage 19 (in which case the outer air passage 19 may be formed at least partially by the inner tube 10) so that air can flow through the central air passage 20 and then through the outer air passage 19 when the section 70 is in functional use.

Anode terminal 79 may be attached to the end of section 70 proximate seal 15. Anode terminal 79 may be at least partially held in place by connector 202. Electrical leads 26 may be connected to both ends of heater 14 to provide electrical power to heater 14. In particular, electrical terminal 26 may be electrically connected to connector 202 (wherein connector 202 may be electrically conductive), and electrical terminal 26 may be electrically connected to anode terminal 79.

In an embodiment, the finished vaporization composition 22 may be a material or combination of materials that is capable of being vaporized. For example, the vaporizing formulation may be at least one of a liquid, solid, or gel formulation, including, but not limited to, water, granules, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, herbal extracts, natural or artificial flavors, steam generators such as glycerol and propylene glycol, and combinations thereof.

The final vaporization composition 22 may contain volatile tobacco flavor compounds that may be released upon heating. The final vaporization composition 22 may also contain tobacco elements distributed throughout the composition 22. When the tobacco elements are dispersed in the final vaporization composition 22, the physical integrity of the tobacco element may be maintained. For example, the tobacco element may comprise 2-30% by weight in the finished composition 22 for evaporation. Alternatively, the finished evaporation composition 22 may be flavored with flavors other than tobacco flavor or in addition to tobacco flavor.

Reservoir 20 may be formed in the annulus between inner tube 10 and cartridge body 6b of cartridge 70. Reservoir 20 may contain finished vaporization composition 22, and optionally, reservoir 20 may contain a storage medium (not shown) configured to store finished composition 22 therein. for evaporation. The storage medium may comprise a wrap of cotton gauze, fibrous material, polyethylene, polyester, viscose, and combinations thereof, which may be wrapped around the inner tube 10.

Section 70 may be attachable to section 72 of device 60 for vaping, while section 72 may be a power section, which may contain a power supply 1. The power section 72 may include a housing 6a which may contain a power supply 1 such as a battery. The battery may be a lithium ion battery or one of its variants, such as a lithium ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the battery may be a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a lithium manganese battery, a lithium cobalt battery, or a fuel cell. In such a case, the power section 72 may be usable until the energy in the power supply 1 is exhausted. Alternatively, the power supply 1 may be rechargeable and reusable and may include circuitry to enable the battery to be charged by an external charger. In such a case, the circuit in the charged state can supply power for a desired (or alternatively specified) number of puffs, after which the circuit must be reconnected to an external charger.

The power supply 1 may have electrical contacts 1a/b protruding from the power supply 1. For example, the power supply 1 may have an anode contact 1a and a cathode contact 1b, which can assist in creating the electrical circuit that powers the device 60 in operation. For example, the power supply 1 may be electrically connected to the sensor 16 and a control circuit 300 that may control the operation of the device 60. The control circuit 300 may be placed on a rigid printed circuit board 302. The printed circuit board 302 may be connected to the first electrical contact 1a of the power supply 1 through an electrical terminal 308, wherein the printed circuit board 302 may be connected to the second electrical contact 1b via an electrical terminal 310. The power supply 1 may also supply electrical current to the heater 14 of the cartridge 70 (as described in more detail below).

Once the sections 70/72 of the vaping device 60 are connected to communicate with the airflow, airflow paths may exist between the sections 70/72. Specifically, the anode electrical rod 78 of the supply section 72 may form an air passage 78a through the rod 78. The air passage 78a of the rod 78 may be in fluid communication with the air passage 79a, which may be formed by the anode terminal 79 of the section 70 of the vaping device 60, wherein the air passages 79a/78a may allow the interior of section 72 to be in fluid communication with the central air passage 20 of section 70. air may also be in fluid communication with air passages 79a/78a. In an embodiment, air inlets 40 may be located at multiple locations around the periphery of section 72.

When assembled, the vaping device 60 may form an electrical circuit that powers the device 60 during operation. The circuit may include a power source 1, a sensor 16, a control circuit 300, electrical leads 308/310, connectors 202/204 (these connectors 202/204 may be made of electrically conductive metal), rods 78/79, electrical leads 26, and a heater. fourteen.

Vaping device in functional use

Based on the design concept of the vaping device 60 described above, this document explains the operation of the assembled device 60. through the air passage 79a of the anode terminal 79, through the central air passage 20 and into the outer air passage 19. In the outer air passage 19, the air stream can be entrained (released) by steam, which can be obtained by means of a heater 14 heating the finished evaporation composition 22 absorbed through the wick 28, before discharging the air stream with the entrained vapor through the outlet 24 of the insert 8 onto mouthpiece end.

Because air passage 78a of stem 78 may be in fluid communication with air passage 79a of stem 79, sensor 16 may be able to detect vapor conditions (described below) so that control circuit 300 may cause electrical current to flow from power supply 1 to heater 14 to heat and vaporize the finished vaporization composition 22, which may be drawn into heater 14 via wick 28. In an embodiment, when activated, heater 14 may heat a portion of wick 28 for less than about 10 seconds.

The air flow through the device 60 can be used to activate the device 60. Specifically, the sensor 16 can be configured to generate an output signal indicative of the amount and direction of the air flow, wherein the control circuit 300 can receive the output of the sensor 16 and determine whether the following conditions are present: hovering: (1) the direction of the air flow indicates retraction at the insert 8 at the mouth end (as opposed to blowing air through the insert 8), and (2) the amount of air flow exceeds the threshold value. If these internal hover conditions of the device 60 are met, the control circuit 300 may electrically connect the power supply 1 to the heater 14, thereby activating the heater 14. Namely, the control circuit 300 may electrically connect the electrical terminal 310 and the electrical terminal 1b (by activating the power control transistor heater forming part of the control circuit 300) so that the heater 14 can become electrically connected to the power supply 1. In an alternative embodiment, sensor 16 may generate an output indicative of a pressure drop, after which control circuit 300 may activate heater 14 in response.

In an embodiment, the control circuit 300 may include an indicator light 304 that the control circuit 300 may illuminate when the heater 14 is activated, the power supply 1 is recharged, or both. The indicator light 304 may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LED may include one or more colors (eg, white, yellow, red, green, blue, etc.). Moreover, the indicator light 304 can be positioned so that it is visible to an adult tobacco user while vaping, and the indicator light 304 can be located near the end cap 306 of the power section 72 of the vaping device 60. The indicator light 304 can also be used to diagnose the vaping system. The indicator light 304 may be configured to enable an adult tobacco user to activate, deactivate, or activate and deactivate the heater activation indicator light 304 for privacy purposes.

In an embodiment, the control circuit 300 may include a time period limiter. In another embodiment, the control circuit 300 may include a manually operated switch for an adult tobacco user to initiate heating. The time period for supplying electric current to the heater 14 may be set or predetermined depending on the amount of the finished composition for evaporation 22 required for evaporation.

General methodology

Exemplary embodiments may vary the vapor particle size distribution by adjusting the airflow generation structure of at least one of the vaping device or vaping cartridge. To this end, the increase in vapor particles with condensation and coagulation can be controlled by changing the holding time of the steam. In particular, the longer a vapor particle can pass through the device, the longer the particles can coagulate upon contact with other vapor particles to form larger droplets from the particles. By introducing ventilation air (dilution air) downstream of the steam generating area of the device, the residence time of the particles generated in this area can be increased. In addition, the design used to create air flow restrictions (i.e. "air flow restrictor") either for the air flow that passes through the steam generating area or for the air flow leaving the steam generating area can also effectively increase the time exposure of the particles to obtain a larger average size of the composite particles for the steam leaving the device. In other words, the airflow for the device can be changed at a location either in front of the steam generating area of the device or behind it.

The concept of increasing dwell time for vapor particles that can condense and coalesce as they pass through a vaping device can also be applied to devices that contain a 400/500 flame retardant vaping insert (shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 and described in more detail below) as larger vapor particles can increase the effectiveness of the 400/500 insert when flavor is added to the generated vapor for the device.

In FIG. 2 illustrates a vaping device 60a with a cartridge 70a comprising a flow tube 100 and dilution air inlets 104, according to an exemplary embodiment. In an embodiment, the flow tube 100, which may be considered an "air flow restrictor", may be located at any point between the air inlets 40 and the heater 14, the purpose of the flow tube 100 being to restrict (and therefore slow down) the air flow. passing through the heater 14. To this end, for the cartridge 70a, which is approximately 40 mm long, the outer air passage 19 (which accommodates the heater 14) may have an internal diameter in the range of 2 mm to 6 mm, or preferably 3 mm, with the flow tube 100 may be relatively long (compared to the gaskets described below in the following embodiments) with a length that may be from about 8 to 12 mm, and a preferred length that can be about 10 mm. In an embodiment, the length of the flow tube 100 may be from about 20% to 30% of the length of the cartridge 70a, or most preferably about 25% of the length of the cartridge 70a. The flow tube 100 may have a central opening with an internal diameter (allowing air to pass through the flow tube 100) that may be from about 0.8 mm to 2 mm, or preferably about 1 mm. In an embodiment, the flow tube 100 may have an internal diameter that can be from about 10% to 40% of the internal diameter of the outer air passage 19 that can accommodate the heater 14, or more preferably from about 15% to 35% of the internal diameter of the outer passage 19 or most preferably about 33% of the inner diameter of the outer air passage 19. In case the flow tube 100 contains an opening that is not circular, the opening may have a cross-sectional area that is from about 0.005 ^mm2 to 3.14 ^mm2 , or preferably about 0.785 ^mm2 (corresponding to 1.0 mm ID). In an embodiment, the flow tube 100 may have an internal diameter with a cross-sectional area that may be from about 5% to 45% of the internal diameter cross-sectional area of the outer air passage 19 (passage 19 that may contain heater 14), or more preferably from about 5% to 30% of the inner diameter cross-sectional area of the outer air passage 19, or most preferably about 10% of the inner diameter cross-sectional area of the outer air passage 19.

In an embodiment, the flow tube 100 may be installed in the central passage 21 of the seal 15 of the cartridge 70a (as shown in FIG. 2). Or, alternatively, the flow tube 100 may be installed, for example, in the air passage 79a of the rod 79 (in which case the air passage 79a can essentially be considered an "air inlet" for the cartridge 70a in case the air inlet 40 for the device 60a is located on the power section 72). In addition, the flow tube 100 can be installed inside the outer air passage 19 of the cartridge 70a if the length of the outer air passage 19 is long enough to accommodate the flow tube 100. In particular, it should be understood that the flow tube 100 must be located at a distance from heater 14, so tube 100 should not be directly adjacent to heater 14. In other words, flow tube 100 should not be close enough to heater 14 that flow tube 100 could cause a thin jet of air to pass through heater 14 at a relatively high velocity ( since the air flowing through the flow tube 100 will have a relatively higher velocity due to the small inside diameter of the tube 100), as this may have the opposite effect of providing a relatively lower velocity air jet to pass through the heater 14. For this reason, the flow tube ka 100 may be located at least about 2 to 30 millimeters from the heater, which distance may ultimately depend on the expected air velocity passing through the cartridge 70a and the relative diameters of the tube 100 and the passage in which the heater 14 is located. (while in Fig. 2, the heater 14 may be located in the outer air passage 19, allowing further increase in particle size of the vapor droplets due to the cooling effect created by this configuration). In an embodiment, flow tube 100 may be located at a sufficient distance from heater 14 so that the expected Reynolds number of air passing through heater 14 can reach the "expected constant Reynolds number" that the air stream may continue to be subjected to as it approaches the end of the inner tube. 10 (that is, when the air approaches the place where the internal air flow through the cartridge 70a mixes with the dilution air from the dilution air inlets 104). In other words, the flow tube 100 can be located at a sufficient distance from the heater 14 so that the expected air flow through the heater 14 is ideally fully formed (and thus reaches a stabilized Reynolds number value) to fill the outer passage 19 for air. when the air reaches the heater 14 to avoid the "high speed blast" that would otherwise occur in the heater 14 due to airflow restriction that could be caused by the flow tube 100 high speed" may have a negative effect on the formation of steam in the heater 14).

The dilution air jet can be provided at a location that is behind the heater 14. In other words, dilution air can be provided at any point between the heater 14 and the outlet 24 of the cartridge 70a (at the insert 8 at the mouth end). In an embodiment, dilution air may be provided by dilution air inlets 104 that may communicate with an external air passage 19 of the cartridge 70a, wherein one or more inlets 104 may be numerically provided. for dilution air may depend on some airflow parameters, these "airflow parameters" may include: the size of the air inlets 40 of the device 60a, the expected volumetric flow of air passing through the cartridge 70a, the draw resistance, the viscosity of the air or steam flow, the inner diameter of the flow tube 100 and the average inner diameter of the entire air flow passage through the cartridge 70a (while the average internal diameter of the air flow passage through the cartridge 70a may include the diameter of the side channel 79b, the air passage 79a, the central passage 21 and the outer passage 19 for in air, as an example). Each of these "air flow parameters", which may also include the cross-sectional area of the dilution air inlets 104, may affect at least one of the air velocity and air volume flow through the heater 14 (which, in turn, may regulate the particle size of the steam coming out of the heater 14). These air flow parameters can also control the separation between the volume flow of air passing through the heater 14 relative to the volume flow of air entering the dilution air inlets 104 (which in turn can control the particle size of the vapor exiting the heater 14). In an embodiment, the ratio of the volume flow rate of air through the cartridge to the volume flow rate of dilution air entering the dilution air inlets may be about 60 to about 40. In another embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the dilution air inlets 104 may be from about 0.005 to 3.14 mm ² , and the cross-sectional area of the air inlets 40 for device 60a may be from about 3.14 to 0.005 mm ² .

In FIG. 3 illustrates a vaping device 60b with a cartridge 70b comprising a flow tube 102 and dilution air inlets 104, according to an exemplary embodiment. The overall size of the cartridge 70b (ie, the overall length and diameter of the outer air passage 19) may be the same as that of the cartridge 70a described above. In an embodiment, the flow tube 102, which may be considered another "air restrictor", may be located at any point between the heater 14 and the dilution air inlet (i.e., before the outlet 24 of the cartridge 70b on the insert 8 at the mouth end), with The purpose of the flow tube 102 is to significantly restrict (and therefore slow down) the air passing through the heater 14. To this end, the tube 102 may have the same length, the same internal diameter, or the same length and internal diameter as the tube 100 according to fig. 2.

Dilution air inlets 104 may be provided between the outlet of flow tube 102 and outlet 24 of cartridge 70b, allowing dilution air to combine with air passing through heater 14 and tube 102. In an embodiment, dilution air inlets 104 may be directly adjacent to the outlet end of the flow tube 102. The physical characteristics of the dilution air inlets 104 (such as the cross-sectional area of the inlets 104) may be the same as those of the inlets 104 according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 (as described above).

In FIG. 4 illustrates a vaping device 60c comprising a cartridge 70c with a small diameter shim 106 (i.e., choke) and dilution air, according to an exemplary embodiment. The overall size of the cartridge 70c (ie, the overall length and diameter of the outer air passage 19) may be the same as that of the cartridge 70a described above. In an embodiment, a gasket 106, which may be considered an "air flow restrictor", may be located at any point between the air inlets 40 and the heater 14, the purpose of the gasket 106 is to significantly restrict (and therefore slow down) the air flow, passing through heater 14. To this end, gasket 106 may include a small diameter orifice with an internal diameter that may be from about 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm, or preferably about 0.8 mm. In an embodiment, the inner diameter of the gasket 106 may be from about 10% to 40% of the inner diameter of the outer air passage 19 that can accommodate the heater 14, or more preferably from about 15% to 35% of the inner diameter of the outer air passage 19, or more preferably about 25% of the diameter of the outer passage 19 for air. In case the gasket 106 contains a hole that is not round, the hole may have a cross-sectional area that is from about 0.283 mm ² to 0.785 mm ² , or preferably about 0.503 mm ² . In an embodiment, the internal cross-sectional area of the gasket 106 may be from about 3% to 30% of the cross-sectional area of the outer passage 19 for air that can accommodate the heater 14, or more preferably from about 5% to 25% of the cross-sectional area of the outer passage 19 for air, or more preferably about 7% of the cross-sectional area of the outer passage 19 for air. Gasket 106 may have a relatively short length, which may be approximately 1 mm long, for example. In an embodiment, the length (ie, thickness) of spacer 106 may be less than about 5% of the length of cartridge 70c, or preferably about 2.5% of the length of cartridge 70c. In another embodiment, the length of spacer 106 may be negligible relative to the length of cartridge 70c.

In an embodiment, a gasket 106 may be installed in the central passage 21 of the seal 15 of the cartridge 70c (as shown in FIG. 4). Or, alternatively, the gasket 106 may be installed, for example, inside the air passage 79a of the rod 79. In addition, the gasket 106 may be installed inside the outer air passage 19 of the cartridge 70c if the length of the outer air passage 19 is long enough to accommodate the gasket 106. In particular, it should be understood that spacer 106 must be spaced away from heater 14 using the same criteria as described above with respect to flow tube 100 of cartridge 70a described above (with respect to FIG. 2).

A dilution air jet may be provided at a location between the heater 14 and the outlet 24 of the cartridge 70c. In other words, dilution air can be provided at any point between the heater 14 and the outlet 24 of the cartridge 70c (at the insert 8 at the mouth end). In an embodiment, dilution air may be provided by dilution air inlets 104 that may communicate with external air passage 19 of cartridge 70c, and one or more inlets 104 may be numerically provided. Physical characteristics of dilution air inlets 104 air (such as the cross-sectional area of the inlets 104) may be the same as those of the inlets 104 according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 (as described above).

In FIG. 5 illustrates a vaping device 60d with a cartridge 70d containing a small diameter liner 108 and diluting air, according to an exemplary embodiment. The overall size of the cartridge 70d (ie, the overall length and diameter of the outer air passage 19) may be the same as that of the cartridge 70a described above. In an embodiment, gasket 108, which may be considered an "air flow restrictor", may be located at any point between heater 14 and dilution air inlet 104 (i.e., ahead of outlet 24 of cartridge 70d on insert 8 at mouth end). The gasket 108 may have the same length, the same inside bore diameter, or the same length and inside bore of the gasket 106 of FIG. 4 (described above). In an embodiment, gasket 108 may be close enough to heater 14 that gasket 108 can directly abut heater 14.

Dilution air inlets 104 may be provided between gasket outlet 108 and outlet 24 of cartridge 70d, allowing dilution air to combine with air passing through heater 14 and gasket 108. In an embodiment, dilution air inlets 104 may be directly adjacent to outlet end of gasket 108. The physical characteristics of the inlets 104 (such as the cross-sectional area of the inlets 104) may be the same as those of the inlets 104 according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 (as described above).

In FIG. 6 illustrates a vaping device 60e comprising a cartridge 70e with a flow tube 100 and a bypass air passage according to an exemplary embodiment. The overall size of the cartridge 70e (ie, the overall length and diameter of the outer air passage 19) may be the same as that of the cartridge 70a described above. The physical characteristics of the flow tube 100, such as the position of the tube 100 within the cartridge 70e and the inside diameter of the tube 100, may be the same as that of the flow tube 100 of FIG. 2 (described above).

The bypass air passage of the cartridge 70e may include a bypass passage 110 (whereby the bypass passage 110 may be referred to as a "dilution air inlet"). The bypass 110 may include an inlet that may be connected to any airflow slot location between the air inlets 40 and the heater 14 (i.e., the inlet of the bypass 110 may thus be connected to, for example, at least one of the side passages 79b of the rod 79, or the air passage 79a, or the central passage 21, or the outer passage 19 for air), thus allowing the bypass passage 110 to surround the heater 14. The outlet of the bypass passage 110 may be connected to any location of the air flow between the heater 14 and the outlet 24 of the cartridge 70e (such as the outer air passage 19 of the cartridge 70e, for example).

The bypass passage 110 of the cartridge 70e may be sized based on at least some of the following "bypass flow parameters": at least one of the size and cross-sectional area of the air inlets 40 of the device 60e, the expected volume flow of air passing through the cartridge 70e , the viscosity of the air or vapor flow, the inside diameter of the flow tube 100, the average inside diameter of the entire passage for air flow through the cartridge 70e (in this case, the average inside diameter of the passage for air flow through the cartridge 70e may include the diameter of the side channels 79b, the passage 21 and external passage 19 for air, as an example) and at least one of the size and cross-sectional area of the bypass channel 110. In an embodiment, more than one bypass channel 110 may be included in the cartridge 70e. Each of these "bypass flow parameters » can affect at least one of the air velocity and the volumetric flow rate of air passing through the heater 14 (which, in turn, can control the particle size of the steam exiting the heater 14). These bypass flow parameters can also control the separation between the volume flow of air passing through heater 14 relative to the volume flow of air passing through bypass 110 (which, in turn, can control the particle size of the vapor exiting heater 14). In an embodiment, the ratio of the volume flow of air through the heater 14 to the volume flow of the bypass air passing through the bypass duct 110 may be approximately 1:1. In another embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the bypass passage 110 may be from about 0.005 to 0.785 mm ² , and the cross-sectional area of the air inlets 40 for device 60a may be from about 0.283 to 0.785 mm ² .

In FIG. 7 illustrates a vaping device 60f comprising a cartridge 70f with a flow tube 102 and a bypass air passage according to an exemplary embodiment. The overall size of the cartridge 70f (ie, the overall length and diameter of the outer air passage 19) may be the same as that of the cartridge 70a described above. In an embodiment, flow tube 102 may be located at any point between heater 14 and bypass outlet 110. Flow tube 102 may have the same length, same inside diameter, or the same length and inside diameter as flow tube 102 of FIG. . 3 (described above). In an embodiment, the flow tube 102 may be sufficiently close to the heater 14 that the flow tube 102 may directly abut the heater 14.

The bypass air passage of the cartridge 70f may include a bypass passage 110. The bypass passage 110 may have physical characteristics (place, internal diameter, or both) that may be defined in the same manner as for the bypass passage 110 of the cartridge 70e of FIG. 6. In an embodiment, at least one of the size and cross-sectional area of bypass channel 110 may be determined based on the same "bypass flow parameters" (as described above) as for bypass channel 110 of cartridge 70e of FIG. 6.

In FIG. 8 illustrates a vaping device 60g comprising a cartridge 70g with a flow tube 100 and dilution air, with a flame-retardant vaping tobacco insert 400, according to an exemplary embodiment. The overall size of the cartridge 70g (that is, the overall length and diameter of the outer air passage 19) may be the same as that of the cartridge 70a described above. Dilution air may be provided by one or more dilution air inlets 104 . The location and physical characteristics (ie, inside diameter) of the flow tube 100 and the physical characteristics and location of the dilution air inlets 104 are the same as for the cartridge 70a of FIG. 2, and in this case, for the sake of brevity, this information will not be repeated again.

The insert 400 can be mounted on the end of the 70g cartridge anywhere between the heater 14 and the outlet 24 of the 70g cartridge. Due to the presence of insert 400 within device 60g, the device can be considered a tobacco vaporizing system, since device 60g can contain both a tobacco system (including insert 400) and a vaporizing system (including a "steam generator" whereby heater 14 and wick 28 can be part of this device). Therefore, in an embodiment, insert 400 may be positioned between the dilution air inlets 104 and outlet 24 of cartridge 70g so that both dilution air and warm vapor (generated from heater 14) pass through insert 400. In another embodiment, the inlets The dilution air 104 may be located between insert 400 and outlet 24 of cartridge 70g so that only warm vapor (generated from heater 14) can pass through insert 400.

The insert 400 may include a cylindrical housing 404 which may be pressurized at the end of the cartridge 70g near the outlet of the outer air passage 19. As an alternative to being pressurized into the end of cartridge 70g, insert 400 may instead be retained within cartridge 70g by adhesive, set screws, a snap-fit connection structure, or any other structure required to retain body 404 of insert 400 within the groove of cartridge 70g. Insert 400 may either be permanently attached within cartridge 70g, or alternatively insert 400 may be temporarily retained within cartridge 70g such that insert 400 may be removed and then replaced before the end of the effective life of cartridge 400 (whereby, by way of example, insert 400 may be removed from the 70g cartridge by inserting 8 at the mouth end, first by removing it from the end of the 70g cartridge). The housing 404 of the insert 400 may be a cylindrical housing made of aluminum, for example. Cylindrical housing 404 may have an outer diameter that matches, for example, the inner surface of housing 6b (as shown in FIG. 8), or alternatively housing 404 may be mounted in inner tube 10 (as another exemplary embodiment). It should also be understood that more than one insert 400 may be included in cartridge 70g.

The insert 400 may include a tobacco element 402. The term "tobacco element" may refer to any tobacco plant material, including, for example, tobacco leaf, tobacco plug (compressed form of tobacco), tobacco stems, curdled tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, filler, tobacco beads , compressed tobacco rod, molded tobacco, tobacco powder, and combinations thereof. The tobacco element 402 may be wrapped in, for example, natural tobacco, reconstituted tobacco leaf, or aluminum. In an alternative embodiment, flavor elements can be replaced with "tobacco elements" (as described herein), while "tobacco elements" can be one type of "aroma element". The term "flavor element" may also include non-flammable flavor beads, flavor elements, or flavored tobacco elements, wherein the flavor may be anything other than tobacco flavor, or the flavor may contain another flavor in addition to tobacco flavor. Although in FIG. 8 only illustrates a single tobacco element 402, it should be understood that multiple tobacco elements 402 may be used. Fibrous segments (eg, cellulose acetate, other synthetic fibers, or natural fibers) may be placed between multiple tobacco plugs. The tobacco element 402 may be a "non-combustible" element that may be configured to introduce tobacco flavor into the heated vapor that may pass through the heater 14 without burning the element 402 or otherwise burning it.

Mesh screens 406/408 may abut the ends of the body 404 to enclose the tobacco element 402 within the body 404. The mesh screens 406/408 may include openings 410 that may allow vapor to pass from one end of the body 404 through the tobacco element 402 and out of the end of the body. 404 which is closest to insert 8 at the mouth end.

The insert 400 may be positioned closer to the insert 8 at the mouth end, or closer to the heater 14. The heater 14 may be located at a distance from the tobacco element 402, or alternatively, the heater 14 may be in contact with the tobacco element 402 such that the heater 14 may heat the tobacco element. 402 to the required temperature during the actual functional use of cartridge 70g when vapor conditions are present in cartridge 70g (as described above). Heater 14 may heat tobacco element 402, but heater 14 must not burn tobacco element 402. Therefore, heating tobacco element 402 may be referred to as a "non-combustible" process. Because cartridge 70g may include tobacco element 402 and heater 14, therefore cartridge 70g may be referred to as a "non-flammable smoking element".

In FIG. 9 illustrates a vaping device 60g comprising a cartridge 70h with a small diameter shim 106 and dilution air, with an insert 500 according to an exemplary embodiment. The device 60h may be considered a different tobacco vaporizing system due to the presence of the insert 500. The overall size of the cartridge 70h (i.e., the overall length and diameter of the outer air passage 19) may be the same as that of the cartridge 70a described above. Dilution air may be provided by one or more dilution air inlets 104 . The location and physical characteristics (ie, inside diameter) of the gasket 106 and the physical characteristics and location of the dilution air inlets 104 are the same as for the cartridge 70c of FIG. 4, and in this case, for brevity, this information will not be repeated again.

The insert 500 may be mounted on the end of the cartridge 70h, with the filter 502 of the insert 500 taking the place of a conventional mouth end insert (such as the mouth end insert 8 shown in FIG. 4). In this configuration, the insert 500 may optionally comprise a replaceable tobacco insert 504 within the insert 500, wherein the tobacco insert 504 may be removed and replaced before the end of the effective life of the cartridge 70h after the tobacco element 506 within the tobacco insert 504 has been used up. Tobacco insert 504 may include a tobacco element 506 and filter 502. Insert 500 may include a housing 510 that may define a receiving area 508 that may hold a replaceable tobacco insert 504.

The tobacco insert 500 may optionally be a cigarette or cigar or part of a cigarette or cigar. As an example, the tobacco insert may be a filtered cigarette, a non-filtered cigarette, a cigarillo, a filtered cigar, a filtered cigar, a non-filtered cigar/non-filtered cigar, for example. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited to this. In an exemplary embodiment, if the tobacco insert 500 is a non-filtered cigar/non-filtered cigarillo, the tobacco insert 500 may be filter-free.

The tipping paper 512 may overlap at least one of the filter 502 and the tobacco element 506. The tipping paper 512 may cover those surface areas of the tobacco insert 500 that may extend along the inner surface of the body 6b of the cartridge 70h. Thus, the tipping paper 512 can provide strength to the tobacco insert 504, allowing the tobacco insert 504 to be more easily inserted into the receiving region 508. Aluminum foil can also be used to receive the tobacco element 506, and this aluminum foil can either be contained in place of the tipping paper 512, or in addition to tipping paper 512. In an embodiment, filter 502 may be a cellulose acetate (CA) filter.

It should be understood that in the exemplary embodiments thus described, specific features of the different embodiments (shown in FIGS. 2-9) may be combined, replaced, or both. For example, any of the embodiments containing the flow tube, instead of the flow tube may contain a gasket. Similarly, any of the embodiments containing a gasket may comprise a flow tube instead of a gasket. Likewise, for any of the embodiments, the dilution air can be modified so that bypass channels can be replaced with dilution air inlets, and vice versa, additional non-flammable vaping tobacco inserts can be added or can be removed in any of the above embodiments. . In addition, other inserts like the 400/500 inserts, which may or may not contain tobacco, which may contain other materials such as a vegetal shell, or which may consist of a mouthpiece only, can be attached to an existing vaping device, wherein the airflow generating structure according to the exemplary embodiments may be inserted into the e-vaping device, wherein the airflow generating structure of the exemplary embodiments may be inserted into the insert, the mouthpiece, or both, with minimal modifications needed to run on an existing device. Finally, the airflow design provided by the exemplary embodiments can be applied to other vaping devices, such as those with a capacitance-type ready-to-vape reservoir, to achieve similar results with increasing vapor particle size.

Thus, exemplary embodiments have been described, and it is obvious that the same examples may vary in different ways. Such variations should not be construed as a departure from the intended scope of the exemplary embodiments, and all such modifications, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (50)

1. A cartridge for a vaping device, containing: frame; a reservoir inside the housing, configured to contain the finished composition for evaporation; the first tube extending longitudinally inside the housing, the first tube at least partially forming a central air passage, the central air passage comprising a first part, a second part and a third part, wherein the first part, the second part and the third part of the central air passage air are in communication with each other; a steam generator communicating with the first part of the central air passage, the steam generator being configured to transfer the finished vaporization composition from the reservoir to the first portion of the central air passage and at least partially vaporize the finished vaporization composition to form steam; a first air inlet communicating with a second portion of the central air passage, the second portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the first air inlet; and a dilution air inlet crossing a third of the central air passage, the third portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the cartridge outlet, the dilution air inlet forming a dilution air passage that does not pass through the steam generator, wherein the housing defines a second air inlet for the cartridge, wherein the second air inlet partially defines a dilution air passage. 2. Cartridge according to claim. 1, additionally containing: an air flow restrictor inside the central air passage, wherein the air flow restrictor is located in at least one of the second part of the central air passage and the third part of the central air passage. 3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the air restrictor is one of a flow tube and a gasket. 4. The cartridge of claim. 3, in which the air flow restrictor is a flow tube, while the flow tube has a length of 8 mm to 12 mm, and the flow tube has a first inner diameter of 0.8 mm to 2 mm, and a second inner the diameter of the first part of the central air passage is in the range of 2 mm to 6 mm. 5. Cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the air restrictor is a gasket, the gasket is 1 mm long, the gasket has a third inner diameter of 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm, and a fourth inner diameter of the first part of the central passage for air is in the range from 2 mm to 6 mm. 6. The cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 2-5, wherein the air flow restrictor is located in the third portion of the central air passage, with the dilution air inlet intersecting the third portion of the central air passage between the cartridge outlet and the outlet end of the air restrictor. 7. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 2-5, in which the air flow restrictor is located in the second part of the central air passage, while the outlet end of the air flow restrictor is spaced from the steam generator at a distance of 2 mm to 30 mm. 8. The cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 2-5 or claim 7, in which the air flow restrictor is located in the second part of the central air passage, while the outlet end of the air flow restrictor is spaced apart from the steam generator to provide the expected air flow through the cartridge in order to achieve the expected constant Reynolds number before passing through steam generator during the functional use of the cartridge. 9. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central air passage and the dilution air passage are sized to provide a first expected air volume flow through the central air passage and a second expected air volume flow through the dilution air passage, which are in the ratio of 60:40 during the functional use of the cartridge. 10. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end of the dilution air inlet is directly in communication with the second part of the central air passage, the dilution air inlet being a bypass that surrounds the steam generator. 11. The cartridge of claim 10, wherein the central air passage and the dilution air passage are sized to provide a first expected air volume flow through the central air passage and a second expected air volume flow through the dilution air passage, which are in 1:1 ratio during the functional use of the cartridge. 12. The cartridge according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, further comprising: a non-flammable tobacco insert for vaping located in at least one of the second part and the third part of the central air passage, while the steam generator contains: a heater configured to at least partially vaporize the finished vaporization composition, the heater being in communication with the first portion of the central air passage; and a wick in communication with the heater and the reservoir, wherein the wick is configured to transfer the finished composition for evaporation from the reservoir to the heater. 13. A method for manufacturing a cartridge for a vaping device, containing: a first tube extending longitudinally within the housing, the first tube at least partially defining a central air passage, the central air passage comprising a first part, a second part and a third part of the central air passage that are in communication with each other; a steam generator in communication with the first part of the central air passage, and a first air inlet communicating with the second part of the central air passage, the second part of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the first air inlet, wherein the method includes: providing a dilution air inlet in the cartridge, wherein the dilution air inlet intersects a third portion of the center passage, the third portion of the center passage being between the steam generator and the outlet of the cartridge, the dilution air inlet forming a dilution air passage which does not pass through the steam generator; and introducing an air flow restrictor inside the central air passage, wherein the air flow restrictor is located in at least one of the second part of the central air passage and the third part of the central air passage, wherein the air flow restrictor is one of the flow tube and gasket, wherein the housing defines a second air inlet for the cartridge, wherein the second air inlet partially defines a dilution air passage. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the flow tube has a length of 8 mm to 12 mm and a first inner diameter of 0.8 mm to 2 mm, and the gasket has a length of 1 mm and a second inner diameter of 0.6 mm to 1 .0 mm, and the third inner diameter of the first part of the central air passage is in the range of 2 mm to 6 mm. 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the end of the dilution air inlet is directly in communication with the second part of the central air passage, the dilution air inlet being a bypass that surrounds the steam generator. 16. A vaping device, comprising: cartridge containing: first body, a reservoir inside the first housing, configured to contain the finished composition for evaporation, a first tube extending longitudinally within the first housing, the first tube at least partially forming a central air passage, the central air passage comprising a first part, a second part and a third part of the central air passage that are in communication with each other ; a steam generator communicating with the first part of the central air passage, wherein the steam generator is configured to transfer the finished composition for evaporation from the tank to the first part of the central air passage and at least partially vaporize the finished composition for evaporation with the formation of steam, a first air inlet communicating with the second part of the central air passage, the second part of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the first air inlet, a dilution air inlet crossing a third of the central air passage, the third portion of the central air passage being between the steam generator and the cartridge outlet, the dilution air inlet forming a dilution air passage that does not pass through the steam generator, wherein the housing forms a second air inlet for the cartridge, wherein the second air inlet partially forms a dilution air passage, an air flow restrictor within the central air passage, the air flow restrictor located in at least one of the second portion of the central air passage and the third portion of the central air passage; and a power section configured to be connected to the cartridge, the power section comprising: a second housing defining a second air inlet, the second air inlet communicating with the first air inlet of the cartridge if the supply section is connected to the cartridge, a sensor configured to detect air flow through the central air passage if the supply section is connected to the cartridge, and a power source configured to supply electrical power to the vapor generator of the cartridge if the power section is connected to the cartridge and the sensor detects airflow through the central air passage. 17. The vaping device according to claim 16, wherein the airflow restrictor has a first cross-sectional area that is between 5% and 25% of the size of the second cross-sectional area of the first portion of the central air passage, wherein the airflow restrictor is one of the flow meter tubing and gaskets, wherein the housing defines a third air inlet for the cartridge, the third air inlet partially defining a dilution air passage. 18. The vaping device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the airflow restrictor has a first cross-sectional area that is between 5% and 25% of the size of the second cross-sectional area of the first portion of the central air passage, wherein the airflow restrictor is one of a flow tube and a gasket, the dilution air inlet directly communicating with the third part of the central air passage, the dilution air inlet being a bypass that surrounds the steam generator.

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