RU2812305C2 - Vaping device with insert (variants) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: vaping devices.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a vaping device with an insert (variants). The vaping device contains a housing for the pre-vapour composition. The casing is configured to accommodate the pre-evaporation composition and forms a channel passing through it. The heating element is configured to heat at least a part of the pre-evaporation composition to form steam and to supply this steam to the first section of said channel. The vaping device also contains an insert located on the second section of the said channel with the ability to receive steam. The insert is a removable insert and is divided into at least the first section and the second section. The first section contains a first material that is released at a first temperature. The second section contains the second material that is released at the second temperature. The second temperature is less than the first temperature. The second section is located in the insert further from the heating element than the first section.

EFFECT: ability to improve the release of the first and second materials when heated by a heating element.

31 cl, 12 dwg

Description

Example embodiments relate to electronic vaping devices.

E-vaping devices, also referred to herein as electronic vaping devices (EVD), can be used by adult vapers for mobile vaping.

E-vaping devices contain a heater that evaporates the pre-vapor compound to produce vapor. An e-vaping device may comprise multiple e-vaping elements, including a power supply, a cartridge or e-vaping container containing a heater, and a reservoir configured to hold the pre-vaping composition.

US 2018/007966 A1 describes an electronic vaping device comprising a heating element and a flavor insert. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3D, the flavor insert includes a plurality of individual flavor materials, each containing a different flavor material.

This section provides a general description of the invention, which is not an exhaustive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to some example embodiments, the vaping device may include a pre-vapor housing, a heating element, and an insert. The pre-evaporative composition housing may be configured to accommodate the pre-evaporative composition and may define a passage therethrough. The heating element may be configured to heat at least a portion of the pre-evaporation composition to form steam and to supply this steam to the first portion of said channel. The insert can be located on the second section of the specified channel with the possibility of receiving steam. The insert may be divided into at least a first section and a second section. The first section may include a first material that is released at a first temperature, and the second section may include a second material that is released at a second temperature. The second temperature may be lower than the first temperature.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insert and the heating element may be at opposite ends of said channel.

In some example embodiments, the insert may be a removable insert.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insert may comprise a perforated aluminum foil tube surrounding said first section and/or second section.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insert may comprise a porous paper tube containing a flavoring agent and/or a flavoring source.

In some example embodiments, the first material and/or the second material may be included in the aroma source.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first material and/or the second material may be included in the flavoring agent.

In some example embodiments, the insert may comprise absorbent material.

In some example embodiments, the absorbent material may be impregnated with a flavoring agent.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first material and/or the second material may be included in the absorbent material.

In some exemplary embodiments, said first section and second section may be separated by porous separators.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insert may comprise lemon tea granules, and the first material and/or second material may be included in said lemon tea granules.

In some example embodiments, the insert may contain tobacco or a material derived from tobacco.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insert may be a removable insert configured to release flavor and/or aroma into the received vapor.

In some exemplary embodiments, the removable insert may comprise a perforated aluminum foil tube enclosing said first section and second section.

In some example embodiments, the first material may contain a flavoring agent.

In some example embodiments, the first material may contain a flavoring agent.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second material may contain a flavoring agent.

In some example embodiments, the second material may contain a flavoring agent.

In some example embodiments, the second section may be located in the insert further from the heating element than the first section.

In some example embodiments, the insert may receive steam through the first section.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first material and/or the second material may be included in the flavoring agent.

In some example embodiments, the first material and/or the second material may be included in the aroma source.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insert may comprise a hollow acetate tube that encloses the first material and/or the second material.

According to some example embodiments, the vaping device may include a power supply section and a vaping element. The power supply section may be configured to supply power. The vaping element may be configured to receive supplied power and may include a pre-vapor housing, a heating element, and an insert. The pre-evaporative composition housing may be configured to accommodate the pre-evaporative composition and may define a passage therethrough. The heating element may be configured to heat at least a portion of the pre-evaporation composition to form steam under the action of the supplied power and to supply this steam to the first portion of said channel. The insert can be located on the second section of the specified channel with the possibility of receiving steam. The insert may be divided into at least a first section and a second section. The first section may include a first material that is released at a first temperature, and the second section may include a second material that is released at a second temperature. The second temperature may be lower than the first temperature.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insert and the heating element may be at opposite ends of said channel.

In some example embodiments, the insert may be a removable insert configured to be inserted into a specified channel.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insert may be a tube of perforated aluminum foil spanning said first section and second section.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insert may comprise a porous paper tube containing a flavoring agent and/or a flavoring source.

In some example embodiments, the insert may comprise absorbent material.

In some exemplary embodiments, said first section and second section may be separated by porous separators.

In some example embodiments, the insert may contain lemon tea granules.

In some example embodiments, the insert may contain tobacco or a material derived from tobacco.

In some example embodiments, the second section may be located in the insert further from the heating element than the first section.

Additional applications will become clear from the description given in this document. The present description and specific examples given in this summary section are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are presented for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings should not be considered to be to scale unless expressly indicated. For clarity, various dimensions in the drawings may have been enlarged.

In FIG. 1A is a side view of an e-vaping device according to some example embodiments.

In FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line IB-IB' of the e-vaping device of FIG. 1A.

In FIG. 1C is an exploded view of an e-vaping device according to some example embodiments.

In FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a section of a pre-evaporation composition container according to some exemplary embodiments.

In FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a section of a pre-evaporation composition container according to some example embodiments.

In FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D,FIG. 3E, FIG. 3F and FIG. 3G shows cross-sectional views of flavor inserts according to some example embodiments.

Some detailed examples of embodiments are disclosed herein. However, the specific design and functional details disclosed herein are presented solely for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments. The example embodiments may be implemented in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited only to the example embodiments set forth herein.

Accordingly, although the example embodiments may have various modifications and alternative forms, only a few of them are shown as examples in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the examples of embodiments to the specific forms disclosed, but rather, the examples of embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the figure description.

It should be understood that if an element or layer is designated as being located "on", "attached to", "associated with", "attached to", "adjacent to", or "covering" another element or layer, then it may be directly located on, attached to, associated with, attached to, adjacent to, or covering another element or layer, or intermediate elements or layers may be present. In contrast, if an element is designated as “located directly on,” “directly attached to,” or “directly associated with” another element or layer, then there are no intermediate elements or layers. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout this specification.

It should be understood that although the ordinal numbers “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers or sections shall not be limited to the ordinal numbers indicated. These ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish one element, area, layer or section from another element, area, layer or section. Therefore, 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 ideas set forth in the example embodiments.

Relative spatial location terms (e.g., “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” etc.) may be used herein for convenience of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or the feature shown in the figures. It should be understood that the terms of relative spatial arrangement are intended to cover different orientations of the device during use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the arrangement in the figures is inverted, then elements described as being oriented “under” or “below” other elements or features will appear to be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Therefore, the preposition "under" can cover both above and below orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or located in other orientations), and the definitions of relative spatial arrangement used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is intended only to describe various exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit exemplary embodiments. As used herein, singular forms are intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “contains,” and “comprising,” when used herein, indicate the presence of specified features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and groups thereof.

When the words “approximately” and “substantially” are used in this specification in conjunction with a numerical value, it is intended that the corresponding numerical value includes an error of ±10 percent of the stated numerical value, unless otherwise expressly stated.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as 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 commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technical field, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this document.

The hardware may be implemented using processing or control circuitry, such as, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more system-on-chips (SoCs), one or more programmable logic gates (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or any other device or devices capable of responding to instructions and executing them in a specific way.

In FIG. 1A shows a side view of an e-vaping device 60 according to some example embodiments. In FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line IB-IB' of the e-vaping device of FIG. 1A. In FIG. 1C is an exploded view of an e-vaping device according to some example embodiments. The E-vaping device 60 may include one or more of the features set forth in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al., filed Jan. 31, 2013, and U.S. Patent Application Publish No. 2013/0192619 to Tucker et al. ., filed January 14, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. As used herein, the term “e-vaping device” (or “electronic vaping device”) includes all types of electronic vaping devices, regardless of their type, size, shape or configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1A-C, the e-vaping device 60 includes a replaceable pre-vapor tank section (or first section) 70, sometimes referred to herein as an “e-vaping tank”, a refillable power supply section (or second section) 72, and a flavor insert 80. The sections 70, 72 may be coupled together by complementary mating means 74, 84 of the respective sections 70, 72. The flavor insert 80 may be coupled to the pre-evaporation container section 70 by being inserted inside the outlet 50b of the channel 28 in the pre-evaporation container section 70. The flavor insert 80 may be placed in the outlet portion of the channel 28 by insertion into the outlet 50b. The flavor insert 80 may be positioned to receive steam generated by the pre-evaporation container section 70 by being placed in the outlet portion of the channel 28.

In some example embodiments, the interface means 74, 84 are threaded connectors. It should be understood that the mating means 74, 84 may be any type of connector, including, without limitation, a press fit, a retainer, a clamp, a bayonet connector, a slide fit, a sleeve fit, an alignment fit, a threaded connector, a magnet, a lock, or any type of connector. another type, and combinations of the above. In some embodiments, sections 70 and 72 may be parts of the same part without the need for mating means 74, 84.

The pre-evaporation composition container section 70 may include a pre-evaporation composition container 22 and an adapter 90. The pre-evaporation composition container 22 and the adapter 90 may be connected via connectors 29, 12a (for example, at least one of a suitable male and female connector and a connector of any another type) respectively. The connecting elements 29, 12a may be complementary connectors. The adapter 90 includes interface means 74 and connects the pre-evaporation composition container 22 to the power supply section 72 by connecting the interface means 74, 84 and the connecting elements 29, 12a.

As further shown in FIG. 1A-C, the pre-evaporation composition container 22 includes an outer casing 24 extending in the longitudinal direction; an inner tube 25 extending in the longitudinal direction; and a gasket assembly 51 defining the outlet end of the pre-evaporation composition container 22. The opposite end (upper end) of the pre-evaporation composition container 22 contains the upper ends of an outer casing 24 and an inner tube 25, respectively.

In some exemplary embodiments, the outer casing 24 may be a single tubular casing enclosing both the prevapor container section 70 and the power supply section 72, and the entire e-vaping device 60 may be disposable. In exemplary embodiments, the outer casing 24 may have a generally cylindrical cross-section. In some exemplary embodiments, the outer casing 24 may have a generally polygonal (e.g., triangular, rectangular, etc.), curved, or any other cross-sectional shapes that may be desired along the prevapor tank section 70 and/or the power supply section 72 . In some example embodiments, the dimensions of the outer casing 24 at the upper end may be larger or smaller than at the outlet end of the e-vaping device 60.

The inner tube 25 may define at least a portion of the channel 28 extending through the pre-evaporation composition container 22. The upper end of the inner tube 25 may define an opening 50a in the upper portion (or "first portion") of the channel 28. As shown in FIG. 1B, the outlet end of the inner tube 25 is connected to the spacer assembly 51 to form an outlet 50b in the outlet portion (or “second portion”) of the channel 28. In some example embodiments, the inner tube 25 extends through the spacer assembly 51 to form the outlet portion of the channel 28. The spacer assembly 51 defines a channel 51c that extends through the center of the spacer. In the example embodiments shown in FIG. 1B, the outlet end of the inner tube 25 passes through the gasket assembly channel 51c to form the outlet portion of the channel 28 and the outlet hole 50b of the channel 28.

In some exemplary embodiments, the spacer assembly 51 may be connected to the inner tube 25 such that the spacer assembly channel 51c has the same or a smaller cross-section than the inner tube 25 such that the inner tube 25 does not pass through the spacer or only partially passes through the spacer, channel 51c defines a portion of channel 28 (that is, channel 51c and inner tube 25 form separate portions of channel 28), and channel 51c of the spacer assembly defines both the outlet 50b and the outlet portion of channel 28 (an example is shown in FIG. 2A).

In some example embodiments, the pre-evaporation composition container 22 includes a pre-evaporation composition reservoir 23. In some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in FIG. 1A-C, the pre-evaporation composition container 22 includes an annular reservoir 23. The reservoir 23 is formed by the inner surface of the outer casing 24, the outer surface of the inner tube 25, a gasket assembly 51 at the outlet end of the pre-evaporation composition container 22, and a gasket assembly 8 included in the adapter 90. connected to the outer casing 24 and the inner tube 25 through connecting members 12a and 15, respectively.

The gasket assembly 51 is connected to the outlet ends of the outer casing 24 and the inner tube 25, respectively, to form the outlet end of the reservoir 23.

In the example embodiments shown in FIG. 1A-C, the reservoir 23 is an annular space located around the channel 28, which is a central air channel. The channel 28 is at least partially formed by the inner surface of the inner tube 25. The pre-vapor composition container 22 can be configured to be refilled through the reservoir opening using any commercially available pre-vapor composition for the purpose of continuously reusing the pre-vapor composition container 22. In some example embodiments, the reservoir opening is included in the gasket assembly 51 and allows reservoir 23 to be accessed from the outside of the pre-evaporation composition container 22 through the gasket assembly 51.

At least a portion of the pre-evaporation composition container 22 may have a transparent wall to allow visual observation and tracking of the amount of pre-evaporation composition in the reservoir 23. For example, at least a portion of the outer casing 24 may be made of a transparent material, a translucent material, some combination thereof, and things like that. At least a portion of the inner tube 25 may be made of a transparent material, a translucent material, some combination thereof, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1A-C, the outer casing 24 may include a group of scale marks 71 that provide a visually observable indication of the amount of pre-evaporation composition contained within the reservoir 23.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the pre-evaporation composition container 22 may include a reservoir opening 50d that is formed between the upper ends of the outer casing 24 and the inner tube 25, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1C, the reservoir opening 50d may be an annular opening extending around a channel 28 defined by the inner tube 25. The reservoir opening 50d may be an opening for an adult vaper to access the interior area of the pre-vapor formulation container 22 and add one or more pre-vapor formulations to the reservoir 23 Such addition may include separating the pre-vapor container 22 and adapter 90, adding the pre-vapor composition into the reservoir 23 through the opening 50d, and reconnecting the pre-vapor container 22 and the reservoir 90 to each other.

At least one of the gasket assembly 51 and the inner tube 25 includes one or more connecting elements 52 configured to connect the flavor insert 80 to the e-vaping device 60 by inserting the flavor insert 80 through the channel of the gasket assembly 51 to accommodate the flavor insert 80 at the outlet end of the channel 28. In some example embodiments, the connecting element 52 extends around the inner surface of the channel 28.

The pre-evaporation composition container 22 may include a connecting member 29 at the upper end of the outer casing 24. The connecting member 29 is configured to connect to the connecting member 12a of the adapter 90. The upper end of the inner tube 25 may be configured to connect to the connecting member 15 of the adapter 90. Outer the housing 24 and/or the inner tube 25 may comprise a separately formed, self-supporting (discrete) hollow body made of heat-resistant plastic or woven fiberglass.

As further shown in FIG. 1A-C, adapter 90 includes a spacer assembly 8, dispensing interface means 32, heating element 34, and interface means 74. As shown in the figures, adapter 90 further includes a connection element 91 and electrical terminals 36-1 and 36-2. The electrical terminals 36-1 and 36-2 are connected to the heating element 34. The electrical terminals 36-1 and 36-2 are also connected to the coupling means 74 and the connecting element 91, respectively.

The connecting member 91 may include an insulating material 91a and a conductive material 91b. Conductive material 91b allows terminal 36-2 to be electrically coupled to power supply 12, and insulating material 91a allows conductive material 91a to be insulated from interface means 74 so as to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of an electrical short between terminal 36-2 and interface means 74. For example, insulating material 91a may be located on the outside of the connecting member 91, and conductive material 91b may be located on the inside of the connecting member 91, such that the insulating material 91a surrounds the conductive material 91b and reduces or eliminates the likelihood of an electrical connection between the conductive material 91b and the mating material. means 74.

The spacer assembly 8 includes a protruding portion 30 that is configured to connect to the upper end of the inner tube 25. The spacer assembly 8 includes a channel 14 that extends through the projection portion 30 and opens into the interior region of the inner tube 25, which forms the upper portion of the channel 28.

The adapter 90 includes an internal space 10 at the rear portion of the spacer assembly 8. The space 10 is formed by the outer casing 38 of the adapter 90, the mating means 74, the spacer assembly 8, and the connecting member 91. The space 10 provides communication between the channel 14 and one or more air inlets 44 located between the spacer assembly 8 and the connecting element 91. The connecting element 91 may be included in the mating means 74.

In some exemplary embodiments, at least one air inlet 44 may be provided in the outer casing 38 adjacent the interface means 74 to minimize the likelihood of an adult vaper's fingers blocking one of the air inlets 44 and to control draw resistance ( resistance-to-draw, RTD) during vaping. In some exemplary embodiments, air inlet holes 44 may be machined into the outer casing 38 using precision tooling so that their diameters are reliably controlled and reproducible from one e-vaping device 60 to another during the manufacturing process.

In some example embodiments, air inlet holes 44 may be drilled using carbide drills or other precision tools or techniques. In some exemplary embodiments, the outer casing 38 may be made of metal or metal alloys such that the size and shape of the air inlet openings 44 remain relatively constant during manufacturing, packaging, and vaping operations. Thus, the air inlets 44 make it possible to achieve a stable RTD. In some example embodiments, the air inlet ports 44 may be sized and configured such that the e-vaping device 60 has an RTD ranging from about 60 millimeters of water column to about 150 millimeters of water column. Other sizes and configurations may also be used. For example, in some example embodiments, the air inlets 44 may be sized and configured such that the e-vaping device 60 has an RTD of less than 60 millimeters of water column or greater than 150 millimeters of water column.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the gasket assembly 8 is configured to form the upper end of the reservoir 23 when connecting the adapter 90 to the pre-evaporation composition container 22 via connecting elements 12a and 15. The gasket assembly 8 includes a connecting element 15 connected to the inner surface of the channel 14. The connecting element 15 allows connecting the upper end of the inner tube 25 to the gasket assembly 8 to seal or substantially seal the reservoir 23 from the space 10 and channels 14, 28.

The gasket assembly 8 includes a dispensing interface 32 configured to draw pre-evaporation composition from the reservoir 23, and a heating element 34 configured to evaporate the drawn pre-evaporation composition to form steam 95. The dispensing interface 32 and the heating element 34 together may be referred to as an evaporation assembly.

The dispensing mating means 32 is connected to the spacer assembly 8 such that the dispensing mating means 32 can extend laterally through the channel 14. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, dispensing mating means 32 is connected to projection portion 30 and extends through channel 14 into projection portion 30.

The dispensing mating means 32 may include one or more ends that project through one or more side portions of the spacer assembly 8 such that said one or more ends of the dispensing mating means 32 can be exposed to an area outside the container 23 when the adapter 90 is connected to the container 22. pre-evaporation composition. Said one or more ends of the dispensing mating means 32 may be immersed in a pre-evaporation composition held within the reservoir 23. For example, in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, adapter 90 includes a dispensing mating means 32 that is connected to a protruding portion 30 of the spacer assembly 8 such that the central portion ("trunk") of the dispensing mating means 32 extends through the channel 14 and the end portions ("roots") of the dispensing mating means 32 extend from separate outer surfaces of the projecting portion 30. As shown in FIG. 1B, the end portions of the dispensing coupling means 32 are located within the reservoir 23 when the adapter 90 and the pre-evaporation composition container 22 are connected together, such that the dispensing coupling means 32 is configured to draw pre-evaporation composition from the reservoir 23.

The heating element 34 is connected to the dispensing interface 32 and is configured to generate heat. As shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 1B, heating element 34 may extend transversely through channel 14 between opposing portions of spacer assembly 8. In some exemplary embodiments, heating element 34 may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of channel 14 or in other directions.

The dispensing mating means 32 is configured to draw pre-evaporation composition from the reservoir 23 in such a way that the pre-evaporating composition is allowed to evaporate from the dispensing mating means 32 as a result of heating the dispensing mating means 32 using the heating element 34.

During vaping, the pre-vapor composition is allowed to be transferred from the reservoir 23 and/or storage medium located in the vicinity of the heating element 34 due to the capillary action of the dispensing interface means 32. The heating element 34 may at least partially surround a portion of the dispensing interface means 32 such that if the heating element 34 is activated to generate heat, the pre-evaporation composition in the surrounded portion of the dispensing mating means 32 is allowed to evaporate by the heating element 34 to produce steam 95.

As further shown in FIG. 1A-C, adapter 90 includes a connection element 91. The connection element 91 may include a cathode connection element and/or an anode connection element. For example, in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, electrical terminal 36-2 is connected to connecting member 91. As further shown in FIG. 1B, the connecting member 91 is configured to connect to a power source 12 included in the power source section 72. By connecting the coupling means 74, 84 to each other, it is possible to connect the connecting element 91 and the power supply 12 to each other. By connecting the connecting member 91 and the power supply 12 to each other, it is possible to electrically connect the electrical terminal 36-2 and the power supply 12.

In some exemplary embodiments, one or more of the interface means 74, 84 comprise a cathode coupling member and/or an anode coupling member. For example, in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, electrical terminal 36-1 is connected to interface means 74. As further shown in FIG. 1B, the power supply section 72 includes a terminal 92 that connects the control circuit 11 to the interface means 84. When the interface means 74, 84 are connected to each other, the connected interface means 74, 84 allow the terminals 36-1 and 92 to be electrically connected to each other. .

By interconnecting the interface means 74, 84, it is possible to form one or more electrical circuits passing through the pre-evaporation tank section 70 and the power supply section 72. The generated electrical circuits may include at least a heating element 34, a control circuit 11, and a power source 12. The electrical circuit may include terminals 36-1 and 36-2, terminal 92, and interface means 74, 84.

As further shown in FIG. 1A-C, the reservoir 23 may contain a pre-vapor composition that does not contain flavoring agents such that when the heating element 34 evaporates the pre-vapor composition in the dispensing coupling means 32 to form steam 95, it is possible for steam 95, also referred to herein document “generated by steam”, essentially did not contain flavoring substances. In other embodiments, the reservoir 23 may include a pre-vapor composition that contains one or more flavoring agents such that when the heating element 34 vaporizes the pre-vapor composition in the dispensing coupling means 32 to produce steam 95, the vapor generated is a flavored vapor that contains one or more flavoring agents.

The E-vaping device 60 includes a flavor insert 80 that is configured to be coupled to a pre-vapor container section 70 such that the flavor insert 80 is located at the outlet portion of the channel 28 and is capable of receiving vapor 95 passing through the channel 28. B In an exemplary embodiment, pre-evaporation container section 70 is configured to accommodate flavor insert 80 and an evaporation assembly (comprising dispensing interface 32 and heating element 34) at opposite ends of channel 28. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, a dispensing interface 32 and a heating element 34 are located proximate the opening 50a in the upper portion of the channel 28. In addition, a flavor insert 80 is located proximate the outlet 50b in the outlet portion of the channel 28.

As shown in FIG. 1B, flavor insert 80 may include a housing 82 surrounding an interior region of flavor insert 80. Flavor insert 80 may contain flavor material 85. Flavor material 85 may contain one or more flavor substances. The flavor insert 80 may include one or more filter elements 86 configured to remove one or more types of particulate matter from the vapor passing through the interior region of the flavor insert 80.

The flavoring agent may contain a compound or combination of compounds that enable the delivery of at least one of the flavor and aroma to an adult vaper. In some exemplary embodiments, the flavoring agent is configured to interact with at least one sensory receptor of an adult vaper. For example, the flavoring agent may be configured to interact with a sensory receptor through taste stimulation, orthonasal stimulation, retronasal stimulation, etc., or a combination thereof. The flavoring agent may contain one or more volatile flavoring agents.

The flavoring agent may contain at least one of natural flavoring agents and artificial (“synthetic”) flavoring agents. The flavoring agent may comprise one or more plant extract materials. In some exemplary embodiments, the at least one flavor is one or more of tobacco flavor, menthol, wintergreen, peppermint, herbal flavors, fruit flavors, nut flavors, liqueur flavors, teas, and combinations thereof. In some example embodiments, the flavoring agent is contained in the plant material. The plant material may comprise material from one or more plants. The plant material may contain one or more of herbs, spices, fruits, roots, leaves, cereals, tea leaves or the like. For example, the plant material may comprise at least one of an orange peel material, a bison material, and lemon tea granules. In yet another example, the plant material may comprise tobacco material. In some exemplary embodiments, the flavoring agent includes at least one of a synthetic material and a plant extract material. The plant extract material included in the tobacco flavor may be an extract from one or more tobacco materials.

In some example embodiments, the tobacco material may include material from any member of the Nicotiana family. In some example embodiments, the tobacco material comprises a mixture of two or more different types of tobacco. Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials that may be used include, without limitation, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, dark tobacco, Maryland tobacco, oriental tobacco, rare tobaccos, specialty tobaccos, blends thereof, and the like. The tobacco material may be provided in any suitable form, including, without limitation, tobacco leaves, processed tobacco materials such as expanded or fluffed tobacco, processed tobacco stems such as cut and rolled or cut and fluffed stems, reconstituted tobacco materials, mixtures thereof and the like. In some example embodiments, the tobacco material is present in the form of a substantially dry tobacco mass.

In some example embodiments, flavor insert 80 includes a tobacco rod that holds flavor material 85 that is one or more types of tobacco. In some exemplary embodiments, the flavor insert 80 may be configured to be at least partially combustible such that at least a portion of the flavor material 85 (e.g., tobacco flavor material) is burned and discharged from the end of the flavor insert 80. In other exemplary embodiments the flavor insert 80 may not be combustible. In other example embodiments, the flavor insert 80 may be heated. The tobacco rod may include a filter element 86 that is configured to filter one or more types of particulate matter.

In some exemplary embodiments, pre-vapour vessel section 70 may direct generated vapor 95 through passage 28 and through a flavor insert located in the outlet portion of passage 28 such that one or more flavors are eluted from flavor material 85 into generated vapor 95 with the formation of flavored steam 97.

In some exemplary embodiments, the generated steam 95 may be at a higher temperature than the temperature of the flavor material 85. As the generated steam 95 passes through the flavor insert 80, the generated steam 95 allows heat to be transferred to the flavor material 85. In some exemplary embodiments, improvements are possible eluting flavor from flavor material 85 into generated steam 95 by heating flavor material 85 through generated steam 95. Due to improved flavor elution into generated steam 95, it is possible to include an increased amount of elutable flavor in flavor steam 97 compared to those exemplary embodiments , in which the flavoring material 85 is not heated.

According to the example embodiments shown in FIG. 1A-C, the flavor insert 80 may be inserted through the outlet 50b into the channel 28 such that the flavor insert 80 is connected to one or more coupling members 52 therein. The coupling members 52 may form an airtight or substantially airtight seal between the housing 82 of the flavor insert 80 and the inner surface of the channel 28 such that the vapor 95 passing through the channel 28 is directed to the exit of the e-vaping device 60 through the internal area of the flavor insert 80. Some example embodiments may not contain one or more connecting elements 52, and the flavor insert 80 may be directly coupled to the inner surface of the inner tube 25. Some example embodiments may not include one or more connecting members 52, and the flavor insert 80 may be directly coupled to the inner surface of the channel 51c of the spacer 51 if, for example , the cross-section of the channel 51c is smaller than that of the inner tube 25, and the spacer 51 defines the outlet hole 50b.

In some exemplary embodiments, one or more connecting members 52 are absent and the flavor insert housing 82 80 forms an airtight or substantially airtight seal with the interior surface of the channel 28 when the flavor insert 80 is inserted into the channel 28. The interior surface of the channel 28 may be configured to form friction fit with the housing 82 of the flavor insert 80 for connecting the flavor insert 80 to the pre-evaporation container section 70 and for holding the flavor insert 80 in place on the outlet portion of the channel 28.

In some exemplary embodiments, the flavor insert 80 may be removably coupled to the channel 28 such that one or more flavor inserts 80 in the e-vaping device 60 can be replaced. In some exemplary embodiments, the flavor insert 80 may be referred to as a removable insert.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the flavor insert 80, which is located at the outlet end of the channel 28 through the outlet 50b, is located in fluid communication with the channel 14 in which the central portion of the dispensing interface 32 and the heating element 34 are located connected thereto. The channel 28 may be configured to direct the generated steam 95 generated in the channel 14 to the exit of the pre-evaporation composition container section 70 through the interior region of the flavor insert 80 at the outlet end of the channel 28.

The flavoring material 85, in some exemplary embodiments, may be a porous structure that contains one or more types of flavoring materials 85. Said porous structure is capable of holding the flavoring agent in fluid communication with channel 28 such that the generated vapor 95 generated in the pre-evaporation container section 70, received by the flavoring element 80 through the channel 28 and passing through the flavoring element 80, is able to passing at least partially through said porous structure and in fluid communication with the flavoring agents retained by said porous structure. The generated steam 95 may act as an eluent, eluting the flavor from the flavor insert 80 into the generated steam 95 to form an eluate. The eluate may contain generated steam 95 and a flavoring agent.

In some exemplary embodiments, the flavoring agents eluted into the generated steam 95 are present in the dispersed phase. The dispersed phase may include a liquid phase, a solid phase, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the flavors eluted into the generated steam 95 are present in the vapor phase, gas phase, and so on. The flavor may contain a volatile flavor that can elute into the generated steam 95. In some example embodiments, the flavor eluted into the generated steam 95 contains a non-volatile flavor.

In some exemplary embodiments, the pre-evaporation vessel section 70 is configured to direct generated steam 95 through the flavor insert 80 after generation of the generated steam 95, and allows the generated steam 95 to cool relative to the initial temperature in the channel 14. If the generated steam 95 passes through the flavor unit insert 80 is cooled relative to the initial temperature, it is possible to at least partially weaken the chemical reactions between the flavoring substances eluted into the generated steam 95 and the elements of the generated steam 95.

In some exemplary embodiments, the flavor insert 80 is configured to cool the generated steam 95 passing through the flavor insert 80. The flavor insert 80 provides the ability to cool the generated steam 95 due to heat transfer from the generated steam 95 to the flavor eluted in the generated steam 95 to the material contained in the flavor insert 80, or to both the flavor eluted into the generated steam 95 and the material contained in the flavor insert 80. In some example embodiments, heat transfer from the generated steam 95 to the flavor and/or material contained in the flavor insert 80 insert 80 allows for an increase in the amount of flavor eluted into the generated steam 95. In some example embodiments, the flavor steam 97 exiting the flavor insert 80 may be cooler than the generated steam 95 entering the flavor insert 80.

In some exemplary embodiments, the flavoring agents contained in the flavoring insert 80 may be replaceable independently of the pre-vapor composition in the pre-evaporating composition container section 70 (which may also contain flavoring agents or which may not contain flavoring agents) since the flavoring element 80 is separate from section 70 of the pre-evaporation composition tank, which contains the pre-evaporation composition. Flavor insert 80 may be replaced by another flavor insert 80. Flavor insert 80 may be replaced by another flavor insert 80 without replacing the pre-vapor composition container section 70 or the pre-vapor composition contained therein, and the reservoir 23 may contain a sufficient amount of pre-vapor composition to support additional vaping. Likewise, the pre-vapor tank section 70 and/or the pre-vap tank 20 can be replaced independently of other parts of the e-vaping device 60, for example, after the pre-vapor composition is used up or in the event that a different pre-vapor composition is required.

As further shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the power supply section 72 includes an outer casing 17 extending in the longitudinal direction; a sensor 13 responsive to air drawn into the power supply section 72 through an air inlet 44a (which may be adjacent to a free end or an upper end of the e-vaping device 60 or located at other locations of the e-vaping device 60); at least one power source 12; and control circuit 11. The power source 12 may include a rechargeable battery. The sensor 13 may be one or more of a pressure sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, and so on.

In some example embodiments, the power source 12 includes a battery located in the e-vaping device 60 such that its anode is located downstream of the cathode or its cathode is located downstream of the anode. The connecting element 91 contacts the downstream end of the battery. The heating element 34 may be connected to the power supply 12 via at least two electrical terminals 36-1 and 36-2, interface means 74, 84, a connecting element 91, an electrical terminal 92, and a control circuit 11.

The power source 12 may be a lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example, a lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, power source 12 may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a lithium-manganese battery, a lithium-cobalt battery, or a fuel cell. It is also possible to use batteries or other types of power sources. The E-vaping device 60 may be configured to be used by an adult vaper until the power supply 12 is depleted or a minimum voltage cut-off level is reached.

In addition, the power source 12 may be rechargeable and may include circuitry configured to allow the battery to be recharged via an external charger. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) charger or other suitable charger may be used to recharge the e-vaping device 60. In some embodiments, the power source 12 may comprise a power source powered by a solar panel.

By establishing a connection between the pre-evaporation tank section 70 and the power supply section 72, the at least one power supply 12 can be electrically connected to the heating element 34 of the pre-evaporation tank section 70 when the sensor 13 is activated. Air is first drawn into the tank section 70 for the pre-evaporation composition through one or more air inlets 44. Said one or more air inlet openings 44 may be located along the outer casing 24, 38, 17 of the first and second sections 70, 72. Said one or more air inlet openings 44 may be located along one or more of the connected interface means 74, 84. Said one or more air inlet openings 44 may be located on one or more of the connecting members 12a, 29.

Sensor 13 may be configured to detect a drop in air pressure and initiate voltage from power source 12 to heating element 34. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, some example embodiments of the power supply section 72 include a heater activation indicator light 48 configured to illuminate when the heating element 34 is activated. The heater activation indicator light 48 may include a light emitting diode (LED). Additionally, the heater activation indicator light 48 may be positioned so that it is visible to an adult vaper while vaping. In addition, the heater activation light 48 can be used to diagnose the e-vaping system or to indicate that it is currently recharging. The heater activation light 48 may also be configured to allow an adult vaper to activate and/or deactivate the heater activation light 48 for privacy purposes. As shown in FIG. 1A-C, a heater activation indicator light 48 may be located on the upper end of the e-vaping device 60. In some example embodiments, the heater activation indicator light 48 may be located on a side portion of the outer casing of the e-vaping device 60. Some embodiments may not contain a light indicator 48 for heater activation.

In addition, an air inlet 44a may be located adjacent to the sensor 13. The sensor 13 is configured to activate a power source 12 and a heater activation light 48 to indicate that the heating element 34 is activated.

In some example embodiments, the control circuit 11 is configured to control the supply of power to the heating element 34 in accordance with a signal from the sensor 13. In some example embodiments, the control circuit 11 may include a maximum time period limitation element. In some example embodiments, the control circuit 11 may include a manually operated switch for manually initiating vaping by an adult vaper. The period of time for supplying electric current to the heating element 34 can be preset depending on the amount of pre-evaporation composition required for evaporation. In some example embodiments, the control circuit 11 is capable of controlling the supply of electrical power to the heating element 34 at the time the sensor 13 detects a pressure drop. In some exemplary embodiments, the control circuit 11 is capable of controlling the supply of electrical power to the heating element 34 at the time the sensor 13 detects a pressure drop, up to the expiration of a maximum period of time set by the limiter. Other control configurations may be used.

To control the supply of power to the heating element 34, the control circuit 11 is capable of executing one or more types of computer-executable program codes. The control circuit 11 may comprise at least one of application-specific circuitry, a processor, and a memory. Memory may be a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer-executable code.

The control circuit 11 may comprise processing circuitry including, but not limited to, a processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC) , programmable logic element, microprocessor, or any other device capable of responding to instructions and/or algorithms and executing them in a specific manner. In some example embodiments, the control circuit 11 may be a custom application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The control circuit 11 may be configured as a dedicated machine by executing a machine-readable program code stored in a data storage device. The program code may comprise at least one of the following: programs or machine-readable instructions, program elements, program modules, data files, data structures, and the like, which may be implemented by one or more hardware devices, such as one or more instances of the aforementioned control circuit 11 . Examples of program code include both machine code produced by a compiler and high-level program code that is executed using an interpreter.

The control circuit 11 may include one or more data storage devices. The one or more data storage devices may be a tangible or non-volatile computer-readable storage medium such as at least one of the following: random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile mass storage device (such such as a disk drive), a solid-state device (such as NAND flash), and any other similar storage mechanism that is capable of storing and writing data. The one or more data storage devices may be configured to store computer programs, program codes, instructions, or some combination thereof for at least one of one or more operating systems and for implementing the embodiments described herein. Computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof may also be loaded from a separate computer-readable storage medium onto one or more data storage devices or one or more computer processing devices using a storage mechanism. Said discrete computer-readable storage medium may include at least one of the following: a USB flash drive, a flash card, a Blu-ray/DVD/CD-ROM drive, a memory card, and other similar computer-readable storage media. Computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof may be loaded onto one or more storage devices or one or more computer processing devices from a remote storage device via a network interface rather than via a local computer-readable storage medium. In addition, computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof may be downloaded to said one or more storage devices or to said one or more processors from a remote computer system that is configured to transmit and/or distribute computer programs, program codes, instructions, or some combination thereof over a network. The remote computing system may transmit and/or distribute computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof through at least one of a wired interface, an air interface, and any other similar medium.

The control circuit 11 may be a specialized machine configured to execute computer-executable codes to control the supply of power to the heating element 34. In some embodiments, controlling the supply of power to the heating element 34 includes activating the heating element 34.

A pre-vapor composition is a material or combination of materials that can be converted into vapor. For example, the pre-evaporation composition may be at least one of the following: a liquid, solid or gel composition containing, without limitation, at least one of the following: water, granules, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts and natural or artificial flavoring agents, and aerosol-forming agents such as glycerin and propylene glycol. Additional examples of a pre-evaporation composition may include those described in US Patent Application Published No. 2015/0020823 to Lipowicz et al., filed July 16, 2014, and US Patent Published Application No. 2015/0313275 to Anderson et al., filed January 21, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Any other pre-evaporation composition can be used.

In some example embodiments, the pre-vapor composition contains one or more of propylene glycol, glycerin, and combinations thereof.

The pre-vapor composition may contain nicotine, or it may not contain nicotine. The pre-evaporation composition may contain one or more flavoring agents.

In some example embodiments, the pre-vapor composition that contains nicotine may also contain one or more acids. Said one or more of the acids may be one or more of pyruvic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid, acetic acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, propionic acid, octanoic acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, sorbic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, oleic acid, aconitic acid, butyric acid, cinnamic acid, capric acid, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octanoic acid, 1-glutamic acid, heptanoic acid, caproic acid , 3-caproic acid, trans-2-caproic acid, isobutyric acid, lauric acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, 2-methylvaleric acid, myristic acid, nonanoic acid, palmitic acid, 4-pentenoic acid, phenylacetic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid , hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and combinations thereof.

In some exemplary embodiments, reservoir 23 may include a storage medium that is capable of holding or partially holding the pre-evaporation composition. The storage medium may be a fiber material containing, for example, cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, etc., subcombinations or combinations thereof. The fibers may have a diameter ranging from about 6 microns to about 15 microns (eg, from about 8 microns to about 12 microns or from about 9 microns to about 11 microns), but other suitable sizes can be used. The storage medium may be a sintered, porous or foamed material. In addition, the fibers may be sized to be inhalable and their cross-section may be Y-shaped, cross-shaped, clover-shaped, or any other suitable shape. In some exemplary embodiments, the reservoir 23 may comprise a filled container that does not have any storage medium and contains only a pre-evaporation composition.

The tank 23 may be sized and configured to allow the e-vaping device 60 to be vaped for a specific period of time (eg, approximately 200 seconds, 150 seconds, 220 seconds, etc.).

The dispensing interface means 32 may include a wick. The dispensing coupling means 32 may comprise fibers (or threads) having the ability to draw in the pre-evaporation composition. For example, the dispensing coupling means 32 may be a wick, which in turn may be a bundle of glass (or ceramic) fibers, a bundle containing a group of twisted glass fibers, and so on, all of which arrangements allow the pre-evaporation composition to be drawn into the due to capillary action caused by the presence of voids between the fibers. The fibers may be generally aligned in a direction perpendicular (transverse) to the longitudinal direction of the e-vaping device 60. In some example embodiments, the dispensing interface 32 may comprise from one to eight filament strands, each of which contains a plurality of glass strands twisted together. The end portions of the dispensing mating means 32 may be flexible and may be configured to fold within the boundaries of the reservoir 23. The threads may have a cross-section that is generally cross-shaped, clover-shaped, Y-shaped, or any other suitable shape.

The dispensing interface means 32 may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials, also referred to herein as capillary materials. Examples include, but are not limited to, glass, ceramic, or graphite based materials. The dispensing interface means 32 may have any suitable capillary drawing action to adapt to pre-evaporation compositions having different physical properties such as density, viscosity, surface tension, vapor pressure and so on.

In some example embodiments, heating element 34 may include a wire coil. The wire coil may at least partially surround the dispensing interface means 32 in the channel 14. The wire may be a metal wire. The wire spool may extend entirely or partially along the length of the dispensing interface 32. The wire spool may further extend fully or partially along the circumference of the dispensing interface 32. In some example embodiments, the wire spool may be insulated from direct contact with the dispensing interface 32. The heater may be a heater of any suitable type.

Heating element 34 may be made of any suitable electrically resistive material. Examples of suitable electrical resistive materials may include, but are not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include, but are not limited to, stainless steel, nickel, cobalt, chromium, aluminum-titanium-zirconium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron-containing alloys and super-high-strength nickel-iron alloys , cobalt, stainless steel. For example, heating element 34 may be made of nickel aluminide, aluminum oxide layered material, iron aluminide, and other composite materials, and the electrically resistive material may be optionally embedded in, encapsulated in, or coated with the insulating material, or vice versa. , depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the required external physicochemical properties. Heating element 34 may comprise stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, superalloys, and combinations thereof. In some example embodiments, the heating element 34 may be made of nickel-chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In some example embodiments, heating element 34 may be a ceramic heater having an electrically resistive layer on its outer surface. Any other types of heating elements 34 suitable for heating the pre-evaporation composition may be used.

It should be understood that, rather than using a dispensing interface 32, the pre-evaporation composition container section 70 may comprise a heating element 34 that is a porous material incorporating a resistive heater made of a high electrical resistance material capable of generating heat.

In some exemplary embodiments, one or more parts of the pre-evaporation composition container section 70 may be replaceable. Such one or more parts may include one or more of the following: a pre-vapor composition container 22, an adapter 90, and a flavor insert 80. In other words, after the flavoring agent in the flavor insert 80 and/or the pre-vapor composition (if it contains a flavor substance) in the pre-evaporation container 22, it is possible to replace the flavor insert 80 or the pre-evaporation container 22, respectively (it is also possible to replace the entire section 70 of the pre-evaporation container, as well as the adapter 90). In some example embodiments, it is possible to discard the entire vaping device 60 after the contents of the reservoir 23 and/or flavor insert 80 are consumed.

In some example embodiments, if the e-vaping device 60 includes a flavor insert 80 that keeps the flavoring agent separate from the pre-vapor composition container 22, then the e-vaping device 60 may be configured to reduce the likelihood of chemical reactions between the flavoring agent and one or more more elements of tank 22 for pre-evaporation composition. Such chemical reactions may include chemical reactions between one or more portions of the flavoring agent. The absence of such chemical reactions may result in a lack of reaction products in the flavored vapor 97. Such reaction products may reduce the sensory experience provided by the flavored vapor 97. As a result, the e-vaping device 60, which is configured to reduce the likelihood of these chemical reactions, allows for a more consistent and a high-quality sensory experience from flavored vapor 97.

In FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a pre-evaporation composition container section 70 according to some example embodiments. In FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a pre-evaporation composition container section 70 according to some example embodiments. Example embodiments of the pre-evaporation composition container section 70 shown in FIG. 2A and 2B may be included in any of the example embodiments provided herein, including the pre-evaporation composition tank section 70 shown in FIG. 1A-C. Other sizes, shapes or configurations may also be used.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in some exemplary embodiments, pre-evaporation composition container section 70 includes a pre-evaporation composition container 22 that includes an outer casing 24, an inner tube 25, and a spacer assembly 51 that at least partially defines a reservoir 23 capable of holding the pre-evaporation composition. The inner tube 25 at least partially defines a channel 28 extending through the interior region of the pre-evaporation composition container 22.

The gasket assembly 51 includes connecting members 51a and 51b, which are connected to the outer casing 24 and the inner tube 25, respectively, to form an outlet end. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the gasket assembly 51 includes a channel 51c extending through the interior of the gasket. The connecting element 51a defines at least a portion of the outer boundary of the gasket assembly 51, such that the connecting element 51a is configured to connect the outer casing 24 with the outer boundary of the gasket assembly 51. This allows the gasket assembly to interact with the inner tube 25 and the outer casing 24 to form end of the tank 23.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the channel 51c does not extend through the interior space of the spacer 51 formed by the connecting members 51b, and instead extends to the end of the space formed by the connecting members 51b, so that the tube 25 can be accommodated in the space formed by the connecting members 51b, and the possibility of additional restrictions on its placement in channel 51c. In some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in FIG. 1A-C, the channel 51c extends through the interior space of the spacer unit 51, which is formed by the connecting members 51b. As shown in FIG. 1B, in some example embodiments, the channel 51c is configured to receive an inner tube 25 through at least a portion of the channel 51c.

As shown in FIG. 2A, spacer assembly 51 includes a channel 51c that defines an outlet portion of channel 28. Channel 51c defines an outer portion of channel 28 that extends beyond the inner tube 25 and through spacer assembly 51 to outlet 50b.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the spacer assembly 51 includes one or more connecting members 52 configured to connect the flavor insert 80 to the pre-evaporation container section 70 when the flavor insert 80 is inserted through the outlet 50b to accommodate the flavor insert 80 at the outlet portion (second portion) of the channel 28 In some example embodiments, the one or more connection elements 52 include a separate connection element that extends around the inner surface of the channel 28. In some example embodiments, including the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the one or more connecting members 52 are connected to the inner surface of the channel 51c of the spacer assembly 51. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, one or more connecting members 52 extend through a portion of the channel 51c such that a gap is formed between the connecting members 52 and the end of the channel 51c proximal to the connecting members 51b. It should be understood that in some example embodiments, one or more connecting elements 52 may extend through the channel 51c along its entire length. In some example embodiments, one or more connecting members 52 are connected to the inner surface of the inner tube 25.

The one or more connection elements 52 may include one or more types of connectors. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more coupling elements 52 are friction fit connectors that are configured to connect the flavor insert 80 to the pre-evaporation composition container 22 through a friction fit between the outer surface of the flavor insert 80 and the one or more coupling elements 52 In some exemplary embodiments, one or more connection elements 52 are connection devices configured to be mechanically coupled to one or more connection elements included in the flavor insert 80. For example, one or more connection elements 52 may be threaded connectors, bayonet connectors connectors, and so on, configured to connect with complementary connectors included in the flavor insert 80 when the flavor insert 80 is inserted into the pre-vapour composition container section 70 through the opening 50b.

In some exemplary embodiments, one or more coupling members 52 are configured to create an airtight or substantially airtight seal between the flavor insert 80 and the surface of the channel 28 when the flavor insert 80 is inserted through the opening 50b into the passage 28. The one or more coupling elements 52 enable providing the pre-evaporation composition vessel section 70 with the ability to direct the generated steam 95 passing through the channel 28 so that it passes through the flavor insert 80 to the exit of the pre-evaporation composition vessel section 70. Some exemplary embodiments may not include one or more coupling members 52, and the flavor insert 80 may be coupled directly to the interior surface of the inner tube 25, wherein an airtight or substantially air-permeable seal may be provided between the flavor insert 80 and the interior surface of the inner tube 25. Some exemplary embodiments may not include one or more connecting elements 52, wherein the flavor insert 80 may be coupled directly to the inner surface of the channel 51c of the liner 51, and an airtight or substantially air-permeable seal may be provided between the flavor insert 80 and the inner surface channel 51c, if, for example, the cross-section of the channel 51c is smaller than that of the inner tube 25.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in some exemplary embodiments, pre-evaporation composition container section 70 includes a pre-evaporation composition container 22 that does not include a gasket assembly 51 at the outlet end such that the pre-evaporation composition container 22 includes an outer casing 24 and an inner tube 25 that at least partially forming a reservoir 23 capable of holding the pre-evaporation composition. As shown in FIG. 2B, the outer casing 24 and the inner tube 25 together form the outlet end of the reservoir 23. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the outer casing 24 is shown curved in the direction of the inner tube 25. However, it should be understood that example embodiments include other configurations of the outer casing 24 and the inner tube 25.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the outer casing 24 and the inner tube 25 are connected together at the outlet end of the pre-evaporation composition container 22 to form the shell of the outlet end of the reservoir 23. The outer casing 24 and the inner tube 25 may be connected to each other by one or more of the following: an adhesive, a connecting device , welding, sealing element, some combination thereof, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the outer casing 24 and the inner tube 25 include a separate member that defines both of the reservoir 23 and the channel 28. For example, the pre-evaporation composition container 22 may contain a monolithic piece of material that is approximately annular in shape, such that the piece of material forms the reservoir 23 and the channel 28 in the form of separate spaces that are separated by one or more parts of the specified fragment of material. Said piece of material may be a translucent piece of material and/or a transparent piece of material.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the pre-vapour composition container 22 includes one or more connecting elements 52 configured to connect the flavor insert 80 to the pre-evaporation container section 70 when the flavor insert 80 is inserted through the opening 50b to accommodate the flavor insert 80 in the outlet portion of the channel 28. In some In exemplary embodiments, said one or more coupling members 52 are separate coupling members that extend around the inner surface of the inner tube 25.

As shown in FIG. 2A-B, in some exemplary embodiments, the one or more connecting members 52 may be absent from the pre-evaporation composition container 22, and the gasket assembly passages 51c and/or the outlet end of the inner tube 25 are configured to make a frictional fit with the outer surface of the flavor insert 80 when inserting the flavor insert 80 through the outlet 50b. This friction fit connection allows the interface between the outer surface of the flavor insert 80 and the passage 28 to be sealed or substantially sealed. This allows the generated steam 95 passing through the passage 28 toward the opening 50b to be directed through the flavor insert. insert 80 to generate flavored steam 97. In those embodiments in which the generated steam 95 is flavored steam, passage through the flavor insert 80 may result in a change in at least one of the flavor of the steam, other properties of the steam, and components of the steam, resulting in steam formation 97.

In FIG. 3A-3G show cross-sectional views of flavor inserts 80A-80G according to some example embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 3A-G, flavor inserts 80A-80G include an inlet end opening 80a and an outlet end opening 80b. The flavor inserts 80A-80G are configured to receive steam containing the generated steam 95 through the inlet end opening 80a and enter the interior region of the flavor insert 80. The flavor inserts 80A-80G are further configured to direct the steam containing the flavor steam 97 generated by eluting the flavor into the generated steam 95 from the flavor insert 80 through the outlet end opening 80b.

As shown in FIG. 3A, in some exemplary embodiments, flavor insert 80A includes flavor material 85 retaining one or more flavor agents and a housing 82 at least partially surrounding flavor material 85 within an interior region of flavor insert 80A. The housing 82 may surround the side portions of the flavor insert 80A to define openings 80a, 80b at opposite ends of the flavor insert 80A. The housing 82 is also referred to herein as the flavor insert outer housing 80A.

The flavoring material 85 may be a porous structure into which one or more flavoring agents are incorporated. In some example embodiments, flavor material 85 is a flavor material kit. In some example embodiments, flavor material 85 contains one or more plant materials. In some example embodiments, flavor material 85 contains one or more types of tobaccos. In some example embodiments, flavor material 85 comprises one or more types of plant materials.

As shown in FIG. 3B, flavor insert 80B may include a filter element 86 and a shell material 88 that surrounds filter element 86 and a housing 82 surrounding flavor material 85. Filter element 86 may be configured to remove particulates from vapor passing through flavor insert 80B. In some exemplary embodiments, filter element 86 may comprise a hollow acetate tube (HAT) or any other type of filter.

Shell material 88 may surround the side portions of the filter element 86 to direct vapor exiting the flavor material 85 so that it passes through the filter element to the outlet end opening 80b. In some example embodiments, the shell material 88 is tipping paper, cigarette paper, or any other type of suitable paper material. In some exemplary embodiments, the housing 82 may be omitted and the housing material 88 surrounds the filter element 86 and the flavoring material 85 without the need for the housing 82, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3G.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the shell material 88 of the flavor insert 80C may surround a limited portion of at least one of the filter element 86 and the housing 82. As shown in FIG. 3C, shell material 88 may lie over an outer surface region of filter element 86 and a limited portion of an outer surface region of housing 82.

As shown in FIG. 3D-3F, flavor inserts 80D, 80E and 80F may contain a plurality of separate flavor materials 85, 89, etc., each of which holds a different flavor material. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, flavor material 85 may be a first type of tobacco and flavor material 89 may be a second type of tobacco. In yet another example, flavor material 85 may be tobacco and flavor material 89 may be non-tobacco material. In yet another example, flavor material 85 may be a non-tobacco material, and flavor material 89 may also be a non-tobacco material. As shown in FIG. 3D, the shell material 88 may lie over a limited portion of the outer surface of the flavor material 89. In some example embodiments, the shell material 88 may lie over at least a portion of the outer surface of the flavor material 89 and at least a portion of the outer surface of the flavor material 85. Other examples of flavor inserts 80 may contain one or more sections of flavor material without a filter element 86. Other examples of flavor inserts 80 may contain one or more sections of flavor material and more than one filter element, each filter element having the same configuration as the other filter elements, or different configuration from them.

In some exemplary embodiments, any of the flavor inserts may be a cigarette (or cigarette-like insert), cigar, cigarillo, etc., which contains a flavor material comprising one or more types of tobacco, plant material, reconstituted tobacco material, and so on. In some example embodiments that include a filter element 86, the filter element 86 may be a filter such as that used in cigarettes.

In some exemplary embodiments, at least a section 70 of the pre-vapour composition container is configured to provide flavor vapor 97 by directing generated vapor 95 through a flavor insert 80 that contains a tobacco rod such that the generated vapor 95 causes the flavor to be eluted from the tobacco contained in said tobacco rod to produce a flavored vapor 97, whether or not the tobacco rod is burned. Thus, the prevapour vessel section 70 may be configured to generate flavor vapor 97 by eluting flavor from the tobacco contained in the tobacco rod 80 without burning the tobacco rod.

As shown in FIG. 3E and 3F, in some example embodiments, each of the flavor inserts 80E and 80F may contain a plurality of individual flavor materials 85, 89, 93, 96 located within the housing (e.g., porous paper tubes, perforated aluminum foil tubes, hollow acetate tube (HAT) and so on) 98. The housing 98 may be positioned in the channel 28 (or within a closed reservoir, cartridge or open container) through the mounting end such that each of the inserts 80E and 80F is exposed to at least one of the thermal energy from the heating element 34 and the generated steam. In some examples, housing 98 may have an internal diameter in the range of 2-10 millimeters and a length in the range of 5-50 millimeters. Other exemplary embodiments may also use sizes greater or less than these ranges. Each of the flavor inserts 80E and 80F may be attached to the connector 52 and used as a mouthpiece.

The plurality of individual flavor materials 85, 89, 93, 96 may be discretely arranged in sections or layers within the housing 98. The plurality of individual flavor materials 85, 89, 93, 96 may or may not have separators, such as porous separators 100 that perform sectioning and separation of each of these materials. In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of individual flavor materials may be plant material flavors or non-plant material flavors. In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of individual flavor materials may be tobacco or non-tobacco flavor materials. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more flavor materials may be separately wrapped with additional casing material within casing material 98 that surrounds all of the portions together. In some exemplary embodiments, separate casings are omitted, or all flavor materials are wrapped only in casing material 98 (eg, as shown in FIGS. 3E-F). In some example embodiments, subsets of flavor materials (e.g., two or more flavor materials) may be wrapped with additional shell material within the enveloping material 98.

Instead of multiple individual flavor materials 85, 89, 93, 96 being layered within the housing 98, a plurality of individual flavor materials 85, 89, 93, 96 (or at least one or more of them) may be individual absorbent inserts. material, impregnated with various flavoring materials and inserted inside the casing 98.

In some exemplary embodiments, a plurality of individual flavor materials 85, 89, 93, 96 may fill the space within the housing 98 from the inlet end opening 80a to the outlet end opening 80b, as shown in FIG. 3E. In other exemplary embodiments, a plurality of individual flavor materials 85, 89, 93, 96 may be separated from the inlet end opening 80a and the outlet end opening 80b by spaces 102 as shown in FIG. 3F. The spaces 102 may be devoid of material, or one or both of the spaces 102 may contain a filter element 86. Although the figures illustrate a specific number of flavoring materials by way of example, in example embodiments, more or fewer sections of flavoring materials may be used (e.g., one, two, three, four and so on).

As shown in FIG. 3D-3F, the plurality of flavor materials 85, 89, 93, 96 may be arranged such that as the temperature gradient changes, the desired flavor or other sensory components will be physically positioned to be released at the desired temperature.

As shown in FIG. 3E and 3F, the temperature gradient affecting each of the flavor inserts 80E and 80F may be, for example, 300-50 degrees Celsius (or 250-100 degrees Celsius, etc.). The plurality of individual flavor materials 85, 89, 93, 96 may be arranged such that the first material 85 (e.g., nicotine salts such as nicotine bitartrate) released at a first temperature (e.g., approximately 300-220 degrees Celsius) was located in the opening at the inlet end 80a, a second material 89 (eg, free nicotine base or menthol crystals) released at a second temperature less than the first temperature (eg, approximately 220-135 degrees Celsius) was located adjacent to the first material 85 , a third material 93 (e.g., flavoring materials such as citrus or lemon oil or pyrazines, etc.) released at a third temperature less than the second temperature (e.g., approximately 135-60 degrees Celsius) was positioned adjacent to the second material 89, and a fourth material 96 (e.g., a more volatile compound such as acetic acid) released at a fourth temperature less than a third temperature (e.g., less than about 60 degrees C.) was positioned adjacent the third material 93 in opening 80b on graduation end. Please note that the indicated temperatures and temperature ranges are provided as examples only and may vary from flavor to flavor. As noted previously, the plurality of individual flavor materials 85, 89, 93, 96 may comprise separators, such as porous separators 100, to section and separate each of the materials 85, 89, 93, 96, or they may be adjacent to each other. and not have 100 separators.

Although a number of exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations are possible. Such variations should not be considered to depart from the scope of the present invention, 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 (39)

1. Vaping device containing: a casing for the pre-evaporation composition, configured to accommodate the pre-evaporation composition and forming a channel passing through it; a heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the pre-evaporation composition to form steam and to supply this steam to the first section of said channel; And an insert located in a second portion of said duct to receive steam, the insert being a removable insert and divided into at least a first section and a second section, the first section containing a first material that is released at a first temperature, and the second section containing a second material , which is released at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is less than the first temperature, and the second section is located in the insert further from the heating element than the first section. 2. The vaping device according to claim 1, in which the insert and the heating element are located at opposite ends of the channel. 3. The vaping device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert comprises a perforated aluminum foil tube surrounding the first section and/or the second section. 4. The vaping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert comprises a porous paper tube containing a flavoring agent and/or an aroma source. 5. The vaping device of claim 4, wherein the first material and/or the second material are included in the aroma source. 6. The vaping device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first material and/or the second material are included in the flavoring agent. 7. The vaping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the insert contains an absorbent material. 8. The vaping device according to claim 7, wherein the absorbent material is impregnated with a flavoring agent. 9. The vaping device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first material and/or the second material is included in the absorbent material. 10. The vaping device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by porous separators. 11. The vaping device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert comprises lemon tea granules, and the first material and/or the second material are included in said lemon tea granules. 12. A vaping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the insert contains tobacco or a material derived from tobacco. 13. The vaping device as claimed in any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the insert is a removable insert configured to release a flavoring agent and/or aroma into the received vapor. 14. The vaping device of claim 13, wherein the removable insert comprises a perforated aluminum foil tube spanning the first section and the second section. 15. The vaping device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the first material contains a flavoring agent. 16. Vaping device according to claims. 13, 14 or 15, wherein the first material contains a flavoring agent. 17. Vaping device according to any one of paragraphs. 13-16, wherein the second material contains a flavoring agent. 18. Vaping device according to any paragraph. 13-17, wherein the second material contains a flavoring agent. 19. A vaping device as claimed in any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the insert receives vapor through the first section. 20. The vaping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first material and/or the second material are included in the flavoring agent. 21. The vaping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first material and/or the second material are included in the aroma source. 22. The vaping device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert comprises a hollow acetate tube that encloses the first material and/or the second material. 23. A vaping device containing: a power supply section configured to supply power; And a vaping element configured to receive supplied power and containing: a casing for the pre-evaporation composition, configured to accommodate the pre-evaporation composition and forming a channel passing through it; a heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the pre-evaporation composition to form steam under the action of the supplied power, as well as to supply said steam to the first portion of said channel; And an insert located in a second portion of said duct to receive steam, the insert being a removable insert and divided into at least a first section and a second section, the first section containing a first material that is released at a first temperature, and the second section containing a second material , which is released at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is less than the first temperature, and the second section is located in the insert further from the heating element than the first section. 24. The vaping device according to claim 23, wherein the insert and the heating element are located at opposite ends of the channel. 25. The vaping device according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the insert is configured to be inserted into the channel. 26. Vaping device according to claims. 23, 24 or 25, wherein the insert is a tube of perforated aluminum foil spanning the first section and the second section. 27. Vaping device according to any one of paragraphs. 23-25, in which the insert contains a tube of porous paper containing a flavoring agent and/or a flavoring source. 28. Vaping device according to any one of paragraphs. 23-27, in which the insert contains absorbent material. 29. Vaping device according to any one of paragraphs. 23-28, in which the first section and the second section are separated by porous separators. 30. Vaping device according to any one of paragraphs. 23-29, in which the insert contains granules of tea with lemon. 31. Vaping device according to any one of paragraphs. 23-30, wherein the insert contains tobacco or a material derived from tobacco.

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