US20150223521A1

US20150223521A1 - Flavor dial vapor device

Info

Publication number: US20150223521A1
Application number: US14/225,596
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan Menting; Terry Brannon; Linda Brannon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-07
Filing date: 2014-03-26
Publication date: 2015-08-13
Also published as: WO2015120356A1

Abstract

A multi-flavor electronic vapor device which overcomes the shortcomings of current devices. The device allows a user, when using the device for smoking cessation, to select different levels of nicotine at different times of the day, to satisfy different levels of craving. The device holds multiple individual containers of a different liquid concentration of nicotine, flavored or not, or flavored medium only, within one device. A user can select a desired refillable container by turning the cap assembly containing the mouthpiece nozzle to the position of the desired container. For flavored vapor user, turning the cap will select a containers holding the desired flavor. The user can take a puff of one flavor vapor followed by another without mixing flavors within the device. The device allows any desired combination by inserting individual containers the user fills with their choice of liquid.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present device relates to methods and devices for making and using a vapor type electronic cigarette (a.k.a., e-cigarette). Particularly, the present device relates to methods for making, using and customizing electronic cigarette devices with the capability of providing multiple drug concentrations and/or multiple vapor flavors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic cigarettes (known more commonly as “e-cigarettes”) on the market for smoking cessation predominately deliver an amount of nicotine through an atomizer connected to a liquid medium. The amount delivered with each puff is determined by the concentration of the drug in the liquid medium placed into the device. For a given user, there may be different amounts of nicotine needed at different times of the day in order to satisfy different levels of nicotine cravings. In 1963, one of the first “smokeless” cigarettes was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,200,819 to Gilbert. More single source devices followed. With such devices, the user can either inhale more or less of the drug by taking longer or shorter puffs, or the user can change the concentration of the nicotine being delivered in each puff. With present e-cigarette devices, changing the concentration of drug delivered requires changing a cartridge containing the liquid medium.
Similar to the concentration issue, a new market has arisen for adding flavored medium to enhance the experience of simulated smoking. Even the Gilbert cigarette in the '819 patent suggested use of flavored solutions ranging from mentholated water to Scotch whiskey. This flavored vapor inhalation has become an industry of its own, with a growing number of recreational users. Vapor inhalant devices now allow use of a broad spectrum of flavors, alone or mixed. However, to change from one flavor to another involves either using more than one vapor device, or disassembling a single device to change to a different atomizer with a different flavored medium. Such a delay between flavors is often unsatisfactory, and many users may lack the ability to properly carry out the disassemble and reassemble processes.
These and other problems are addressed by the present device and methods to provide a system with numerous advantages in operation and effectiveness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the disclosed invention is to overcome the shortcomings of current devices mentioned above and provide a vapor inhalation system which can accommodate a plurality of drug concentrations and/or a plurality of vapor flavors. Accordingly, the present invention allows a user, when using the device for smoking cessation, to select between different levels of nicotine at different times of the day to satisfy different levels of craving Likewise, the present invention may allow a user, when using the device for vapor flavor inhalation, to select between different vapor flavors in a single vapor device.
Generally speaking, the invention is comprised of a vapor device having a mouthpiece, a multi-chambered main body configured to hold a plurality of fluid containers, a cap including an air tube, the cap being connected to the mouthpiece and the multi-chambered main body, and a vaporizing source contacting the main body. When liquid within a container is loaded into a chamber of the main body and vaporized by the vaporizing source, a user is able to draw the vapor through the air tube into the mouthpiece in a manner similar to smoking.
In an embodiment of the inventive device, an adjustment mechanism may be provided to allow selection between a plurality of the fluid containers positioned within the multi-chambered body. The adjustment mechanism is simple and requires no disassembling of the device for selection.
In an embodiment, the invention is configured to hold multiple individual containers, each containing a liquid medium of either a different concentration of nicotine, flavored or not, or a different flavoring only, all within a single device. It is an aspect of such an embodiment that the user can quickly and easily select the desired individual container of liquid medium by simply turning a cap assembly containing the mouthpiece nozzle to a position aligned with the desired container. For the flavored vapor user, turning the cap will select one of the containers holding the desired flavor. In an embodiment, a user could take a puff of one flavor vapor followed by a different vapor. For example, a chocolate flavored puff could be followed by a cherry flavor, then a mint flavor. There is no mixing of the flavors within the device.
Additionally, in an embodiment of the invention, the device can be readily altered from a two container device to a three, four or more container device. Preferably, the device is a component of a system comprising at least one of a two, three, four, or more container configuration, including a proper static plate for each. A carrying case for each configuration is preferably provided for travel and storage of the refillable containers.
The present device allows any desired combination by inserting individual containers the user fills with their choice of liquid vapor.
These and other advantages will be more readily apparent from a review of the following detailed description and the appended drawings referenced therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawing and appendix, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a vapor device in accordance with the present disclosure, with sections (A)-(E) representing component portions of the device; and

FIGS. 2A-B are views of an embodiment of a liquid container for possible use within the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a “universal” cartridge cap for possible use with the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of a container carrying case;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a lid of the container carrying case of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the embodiment of the lid shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a base of the container carrying case of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated.
Referring to the FIGS. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of a multi-container, electronic vapor device 10 is illustrated. As illustrated, the device 10 is comprised of a main base section 12, a cartridge 14 seated within the base section 12, a cap 16 which attaches over the cartridge 14 to the base section 12 via bolt 28, and a mouthpiece 18 which inserts into the cap 16. The cartridge 14 within the base section 12 is configured to hold at least one liquid medium container 20. Each container 20 includes a heating element/atomizer 22 within and is shaped according to the number of containers to be seated within the cartridge 14, as will be explained further below. The vapor device 10 includes several other individual unique parts and functions, which are also detailed below.
Preferably, for smoking cessation users, the entire device 10 may be shaped like a cigarette, with the mouthpiece 18 on one end and an LED 30 on the opposite end. The LED 30 can be powered such that it lights during inhalation to simulate a burning cigarette. Alternatively, in another embodiment where only flavored vapor is being used, the LED may be eliminated or switched off, if desired. In most embodiments, the device 10 is preferably or a size and weight to be readily carried in a user's pocket, for example.
Returning to the illustrated device 10 of FIGS. 1-3, there is preferably at least one power button 26 that, when pushed, activates the a selected liquid medium container 20 in the cartridge 14. An LED 32 located within the cartridge 14 may be used to light with a specific color during operation to show the container in use.
The base section 12 holds a battery 24 wired to the power button 26 and a contact plate in the bottom surface of the cartridge 14, and used to power the device 10. The device 10 may be designed to operate from any suitable battery size and type, whether disposable or rechargeable, with only minor modifications. A smaller battery(-ies) is preferred to maintain the compact size and light-weight of the device 10. From the center of the base section 12 extending toward the opposite end is a hollow bolt 28. The cartridge 14, designed with divided sections 34 about the axis to hold multiple containers fits over the bolt 28, with a locating guide to assure exact fit location.
The containers 20, each containing an absorbent medium for holding the liquid to be vaporized (as is well-known in the art) and the heating element/atomizer 22, which may be metallic or plastic, are designed specifically to fit within the cartridge 14. Preferably, the containers 20 are grouped for a single cartridge. For example, a group of two containers for a two-container cartridge, a group of three containers for a three-container cartridge, etc., etc.
FIG. 2 shows a specific container 20 configured for a group of four containers. The container 20 also includes an indent area 40 for affixing an identification strip 42. The strip 42 would include information about the liquid medium, such as flavor or nicotine concentration. In an embodiment of the present system 100, the strips 42 may be provided as peel-and-stick strips from a pre-printed or printable sheet (not shown). Each strip may be opaque with a pattern of holes to allow reading of the hole pattern when back-lit with the container LED 32 (e.g., the word “MINT” or the nicotine concentration). Alternatively, the labels may be transparent and printable with opaque ink for a similar, but reverse, effect.
Each container of a group fits into the cartridge 14 so that the base of the heating element 22 makes electrical contact with the circuitry 44 to the power switch 26. If made of a plastic, the containers 20 may have a metal strip to conduct electric current from the heater to an electrode embedded in the container cap 21, which contacts a static plate electrode 46. As shown in FIG. 1, the containers 20 are preferably taller than the cartridge 14 for easy removal to be exchanged or refilled. Alternatively, the containers 20 can be refilled in place, if desired.
Each container 20 includes a check valve 48 in the bottom surrounding the battery contact to prevent leakage of medium while still allowing air passage under suction. The container cap 21 may include a similar check valve (not shown) to prevent leakage.
The static plate 50, unique to the present invention, fits over the containers to provide part of an adjustment mechanism and help prevent leakage. The static plate 50 has a guide opening 52 which connects to the guide pin 29 on the bolt 28 to assure proper positioning and to prevent movement (i.e., it is static). Seals 54 in the static plate 50 fit over the air passages 56 in the tops of the containers 20. Due to the positioning of the seals 54, the static plate 50 is specific to the cartridge configuration—i.e., two-container, three-container, four-container, etc. The static plate 50 contains electrodes 58 positioned proximate the seals 54 that are used to pass current from a container 20 toward the device cap 16. On the top of the static plate 50 is at least one ramp 59 which lifts guide pins 60 in the cap plate 70, as explained further below.
Another part of the adjustment mechanism is the rotatable device cap 16 which fits over the bolt 28 and secures in place by a threaded nut 62. When turned clockwise, the cap 16 tightens to the designed tightness against the static plate 50, and then is capable of turning freely around the nut 62. When turned counterclockwise, the cap 16 engages the nut 62 and screws off the bolt 28. The cap 16 retains the nut 62 in a box 64 that allows the cap 16 to be lifted a short distance off of the static plate 50. A hollow section of shaft 66 attached to the nut 62 has a flange 68 on top and is wrapped with a spring 69. This configuration resists pulling on the cap 16 and limits the movement of the cap 16.
The purpose of limiting the movement is that there is a plate 70 fixed in the cap 16 that holds the box 64 and a lower end of a suction nozzle 72 connected back to the mouthpiece 18. It is this configuration which allows the simple adjustment (or changing) from one container to another. The plate 70 contains guide pins 60 that, when the cap 16 is rotated, ride up the ramps 59 on the static plate 50 and lift the cap 16 sufficiently to disengage the seal of the nozzle 72 from a container seal in the static plate 50. Continuation of the rotation then drops the nozzle 72 onto the next container seal in the static plate 50. An air passage is thereby created from the selected container 20, through the suction nozzle 72, and into the mouthpiece 18. Vapor created within the container 20 can then be drawn by a user into the mouthpiece 18.
FIG. 3 illustrates a “universal” cap plate 70. The plate 70 includes lift guide pins 60 for two-container configurations (a), three-container configurations (b) and four-container configurations (c). The three different guide pin sets 60 a-c are preferably at different distances from the center so as to properly align with the ramps 59 of an associated static plate for the proper cartridge configuration. Accordingly, a single device 10 can be changed between a two-container cartridge, a three-container cartridge, and a four-container cartridge, as described above, without requiring a change of the plate 70 within the cap 16 as well, but only the static plate 50.
The nozzle 72 is connected at an opposite end to a sleeve 74 into which the removable mouthpiece 18 is fitted. While the present embodiment illustrates a removable mouthpiece 18 for user storage convenience, a permanently fixed mouthpiece may also be used. The cap 16, when installed, fits over and covers a portion of the cartridge 14.
A wire 76 attached to an electrode 78 in the cap plate 70 is raised and turned and lowered with the nozzle 72. When in the lowered position, the wire connects to the electrode 46 in the static plate 50 for the specific container aligned with the nozzle 72. The wire 76 is connected to the nut 62 and grounds through the bolt 28 to the battery 24. Thus, the heater 22 within whichever container 20 contacted by the nozzle 72 is also connected to the switch circuitry 44. When the power switch 26 is activated, the LED 32 in the section of the cartridge 14 holding the container 20 can light, showing the user which container is in use. Alternatively, each container 20 can be of a different color with an internal LED, or contain a light strip (not shown) that lights, so as to be seen through the cartridge 14, or the light may be turned off with a programmable switch (not shown).
The present disclosure also includes a preferred vapor inhalation system 100. The system 100 includes at least one vapor device, including any of the disclosed embodiments described above. With reference to FIGS. 4-7, additional components of a preferred vapor system 100 are shown, specifically a carrying case 80. The carrying case 80 has a bottom section 82 and a top section 84 which closes (hinged or otherwise) onto the bottom section 82. The case 80 shown is designed to hold up to two individual containers 20 of liquid medium, each with its own atomizer/heater 22, but may be designed for almost any number of containers or device components such as replacement mouthpieces, static plates, or batteries. A customized static plate (not shown) might also be storable within each carrying case container grouping for use with a properly configured cartridge 14. The case 80 may be used to hold empty containers to be refilled, or at least partially filled containers for later use. Alternatively, the carrying case 80 may hold and store a cartridge 14 having a proper group of containers seated therein. This allows the entire cartridge 14 to be changed out instead of individual containers, if desired.
A single case 80 may be altered for carrying different components or sets by changing uniformly sized pre-formed inserts 86. These interchangeable pre-formed inserts 86 may be designed for a plurality of containers, or two-, three-, and four-container cartridge configurations. The inserts would be of a material to provide cushion and protection of the stored containers and/or cartridges. Pads 88 in the inserts for both the case bottom 82 and case top 84 would align with container seals to prevent leakage of the liquid medium. Closing the carrying case 80 would provide the proper tension on the pads as well.
A carrying case 80 may be configured, for example, with a flavor theme, such as tropical fruits, mints, chocolates, berry flavors, etc., or varied concentrations of nicotine. Of course, the size of a carrying case 80 could vary considerably from one case to another.
Those skilled in the art would understand from the present disclosure that changes can be made to the illustrated vapor device 10 to achieve several different embodiments. For example, the vapor device 10 can be designed to hold from two to four or more specifically designed containers, depending on the intended or desired use. With additional containers, the size and volume of the containers may be reduced, or the device enlarged. Details such as construction materials, device shape, power source, and the like, can be easily changed while retaining the broader operational features of the disclosed vapor device 10 and vapor system 100.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic vapor device comprising:

a cartridge configured to hold a plurality of fluid-filled containers;

at least one fluid-filled container positioned within the cartridge;

a cap covering the cartridge and including an air tube, wherein the cap is rotatable to move the air tube to adjoin a desired at least one fluid-filled container positioned within the cartridge;

a mouth-piece having an air passage there through and connectable to the cap to form a vapor passage from the desired at least one fluid-filled container, through the air tube and into the air passage;

a vaporizing source within the at least one fluid-filled container; and

a power source for activating the vaporizing source to vaporize fluid within the desired at least one fluid-filled container;

wherein the vaporized fluid is drawn by a user through the air tube into the mouthpiece by a user.

2. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for facilitating selection of a desired container from a plurality of fluid-filled containers within the cartridge.

3. The electronic vapor device of claim 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a static plate to lift the air tube when the cap is rotated.

4. The electronic vapor device of claim 3, wherein the static plate comprises at least one ramp.

5. The electronic vapor device of claim 4, further comprising a cap plate fixed within the cap and connected to an end of the air tube, wherein the cap plate comprises at least one guide pin aligned to engage the ramp of the static plate when the cap is rotated.

6. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, further comprising an LED which lights when vaporized fluid is drawn by a user.

7. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, further comprising an LED within each of the at least one containers.

8. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is configured to hold at least three fluid-filled containers.

9. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is configured to hold at least four fluid-filled containers.

10. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid-filled container comprises a first group of two containers, a second group of three containers, and a third group of four containers.

11. The electronic vapor device of claim 10, wherein the first group, the second group and the third group each comprises a static plates.

12. The electronic vapor device of claim 11, further comprising a cap plate fixed within the cap and connected to an end of the air tube, wherein the cap plate comprises at least three guide pins with one for each separate group, each guide pin being separately aligned to engage a ramp of the static plate from one of the groups when the cap is rotated.

13. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is shorter than a fluid-filled container.

14. An electronic vapor inhalation system comprising:

an electronic vapor device comprising:

a cartridge configured to hold a plurality of fluid-filled containers;

a vaporizing source within the at least one fluid-filled container; and

wherein the vaporized fluid is drawn by a user through the air tube into the mouthpiece by a user;

a plurality of fluid-filled containers for positioning within the cartridge; and

a carrying case for storing fluid-filled containers when not in use.

15. The electronic vapor inhalation system of claim 14, wherein the carrying case comprises interchangeable inserts.

16. The electronic vapor inhalation system of claim 14, wherein the interchangeable inserts comprise a pad within a cut-out area for storing fluid-filled containers, the pad aligning with a check valve in the container to prevent leaking of fluid.

17. The electronic vapor inhalation system of claim 16, wherein the interchangeable inserts are comprised of a top insert and a bottom insert.