US20180007958A1

US20180007958A1 - Elegant Delivery Systems, Devices and Designs

Info

Publication number: US20180007958A1
Application number: US15/645,700
Authority: US
Inventors: Stacy Verbiest
Original assignee: High In Heels, LLC
Current assignee: High In Heels LLC
Priority date: 2016-07-08
Filing date: 2017-07-10
Publication date: 2018-01-11

Abstract

Improved inhalable delivery systems feature pens having functional and aesthetic improvements over those available commercially.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/360,196, filed Jul. 8, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to delivery systems for inhalable products.
In particular, the instant disclosure relates to using improved methods to match and enhance user experiences with state of the art systems for the delivery of a myriad of desiderata.
Within many consumption-based industries, the digital revolution has likewise enabled users to develop data from tools and resources which create further collateral sources of value, when stored and processed as proprietary, as described herein.
The ability to use state of the art inhalable substance technology along with the precepts of aesthetic design and a few targeted salient markets, has become both challenging and highly rewarding to those in various industries.
Prior to the advent of the instant system, it was heretofore unknown how to solve the problem of having a set of tools or resources to manage the ongoing inhalable revolution, while using user-driven and stylistic principles to create each constituent element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smoking electronic cigarettes, or “vaping,” is becoming an increasingly popular hobby. Some users smoke them in addition to or as an alternative to traditional cigarettes and other tobacco products. Others use them as an aid in quitting smoking. The current electronic cigarette trend began in China when pharmacist Hon Lik developed a device for aerosolizing liquid nicotine as a way to help him quit smoking. However, similar devices were developed earlier, such as Herbert A. Gilbert's smokeless non-tobacco cigarette, described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,200,819, incorporated herein by reference.
Today's electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs, and personal vaporizers) are battery-powered vaporizing devices, which produce an inhalable aerosol (referred to as “vapor”) by atomizing a liquid solution (“e-liquid” or “e-juice”), generally using a heating element such as a metal coil. E-liquid is typically composed of a mixture of one or more of propylene glycol (pg) and vegetable glycerin (vg), combined with flavorings, nicotine, or other psychoactive chemical ingredients.
Some vaping devices include a tank, which may hold for example 1 mL, 2 mL, or 5 mL of e-liquid at a time. A wick draws the e-liquid into an atomizer, which heats it with a coil and produces vapor. A 2 mL tank may allow a user to take about 100 puffs or drags—about the equivalent of 10 cigarettes—before having to refill the tank. Tanks can generally be filled by removing the mouthpiece and squeezing more e-liquid into the tank from a dropper.
Other vaping devices, known as “drippers” require the user to manually add a few drops of e-liquid directly to the coils of an atomizer. Some users prefer drippers because it is a more customizable experience. A user can modify the atomizer by changing the length or grade of the coil, the number of coils, and the power and resistance of the coil. Those factors affect vapor volume, temperature, and flavor, which make dripping a more customizable vaping experience. However, dripping requires the user to add more e-liquid after just two or three drags, and so is a less convenient method of vaping, especially for a user on the go.
There are several shortcomings of the prior art delivery methods that atomize those e-liquid solutions. For example, in prior art utilizing a tank for storage of the liquid for atomization, the tank volumes are often relatively large. Given that users often prefer to fill a tank with a large volume of liquid, it is inconvenient in the sense that a user must completely consume the liquid or must remove the liquid manually and replace it with a different liquid if they desire a different mixture. Furthermore, since it is difficult to completely remove a previous mixture from the internal components of a tank and atomizing apparatus, the mixtures can interact and create combinations that may be undesirable.
Drippers avoid the inconveniences of a storage tank, but they require more manual involvement by the user, who must remove the mouthpiece or other cap, add more e-juice from a dropper or other container, and reinstall the mouthpiece or cap between every two or three puffs.
For both tank and dripper devices, frequent users must keep e-liquid on hand in order to refill the device. E-liquids that contain liquid nicotine are poisonous if ingested. In addition to the inconvenience of storing and using multiple types of e-liquids, there are safety concerns as well. Some users have noted the danger of having colorful flavored liquids, which may be attractive to children, containing concentrated nicotine that is in fact harmful if ingested. The number of “dangerous exposures” to liquid nicotine more than doubled in the United States from 2013 to 2014, coinciding with a rise in popularity of vaping. See, for example, Moran, “Upstate New York boy, 1, dies after ingesting liquid nicotine,” New York Daily News, Dec. 15, 2014.
In addition to the convenience and safety concerns, prior art e-liquid delivery systems have other drawbacks as well. For example, aerosolizing e-liquid by heating may cause degradation and pyrolysis of some chemical species residing in the mixture. Flavors and active ingredients may be lost or chemically altered, yielding a suboptimal vaping experience. Controlling the temperature of a heating element provides some flexibility in tank chemical composition. However, some chemical components that would be desirable to inhale may be so heat-sensitive that they may degrade, conjugate, pyrolize, or otherwise become chemically altered even at the minimum temperatures required to vaporize them. Products of pyrolysis, for example, which may be undesirable to inhale, are carried by the vapor. Conversely, the greater the fraction of a desirable component that is chemically altered by the heat provided for its vaporization, the lesser the fraction, if any, of the native species that remains unaltered to be carried in the vapor stream.
It is respectfully submitted that enumerating the scope and bounds of, and solving this problem for classes of inhalable materials constitutes progress in science and the useful arts worthy of Letters Patent.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Briefly stated, processes, systems and methods for making inhaled products easier, more bio-friendly more and human element-centric.
According to embodiments, an enhanced modular device for imparting a substance into a breathable fluid stream of an e-cigarette, the improvement which comprises, in combination, a fluid-permeable packing material containing a functional substance, a housing with a transparent window in the shape of an exclamation point (!) configured to contain the packing material, the housing having a proximal end and a distal end in fluid communication with each other, wherein the proximal end is configured to be mated downstream of and in fluid communication with an atomizer, and the distal end is capable of drawing a fluid stream there through, wherein when a fluid stream is drawn through the distal end of the housing, an atomized fluid from the atomizer passes through the packing material and the functional substance is imparted into the fluid stream; and wherein the modular unit includes a sealed disposable unit which precludes opening or releasing of any functional substance outside of exclusively with the atomizing apparatus.
According to embodiments, the device of claim 1 is described in detail for an exemplary embodiment, namely wherein the surface decorated with ornamental features.
According to embodiments, there is shown an inner window shaped like an exclamation point, a magnetic self-sealing closure device and an elegant white shade.
Those skilled in the art readily understand that it has been a holy grail in, for example, the inhalable industry to provide a product satisfying a user driven need to participate in the culture but to do so elegantly with design elan and style.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: Side perspective view in close condition

FIG. 2: Front View in close condition and rear View, is a mirror view of Front View

FIG. 3: Top View

FIG. 4: Bottom View

FIG. 5: Left Side View in close condition and Right Side View is a mirror view of Left Side View

FIG. 6: Side perspective view in open condition.

FIG. 7: Front View in open condition and rear View is a mirror view of Front View

FIG. 8: Left Side View in open condition and Right Side View is a mirror view of Left Side View

FIG. 9: Top View

FIG. 10: Bottom View

FIG. 11: Exploded View

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present inventor has made the first elegant inhalable device for dispensing a user's desired mixture with an e-cigarette.
Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention.
In this disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, proximal and distal, upper and lower, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. In this disclosure, the use of the term “proximal” with relation to the anatomy of the present invention may be used to distinguish the end of the disclosed assembly that is at the farthest end of the mouthpiece, while the “distal” end refers to the farthest end of the battery enclosure. In other words, the breathable fluid stream travels in a proximal-to-distal direction during normal use of the vaping devices disclosed herein. However, the relative positions and orientations of components or features of an inhalation device are described and depicted for illustrative purposes and are not required unless expressly stated.
In this disclosure, the terms “fluid,” “fluid stream,” and “fluid flow” may refer to any suitable fluid composition, including but not limited to pure air or air mixed with an atomized, volatilized, nebulized, discharged, or otherwise gaseous phase or colloidal aerosol form of a functional liquid or atomizing liquid described herein.
In this disclosure, the term “functional liquid” shall be understood to represent a chemical species, composition, or mixture thereof, which is intended to be volatilized, atomized, or otherwise introduced into a fluid stream that is in communication with said liquid. The functional liquid may be comprised of any single chemical species or combination of chemical species having desirable properties for enhancing an inhaled fluid stream and being suitable for adsorption upon or absorption into media suitable for use in the present invention. Furthermore, a functional substance in non-liquid form, which may for example be crystalline or otherwise solid, may be substituted for a functional liquid without departing from the scope of the invention.
In this disclosure, the term “atomizing liquid” shall be understood to represent a chemical species, or mixture thereof, which is intended to be vaporized, nebulized, or otherwise introduced into and carried with a said fluid stream passing through the present invention. Furthermore, in extension of previous discussion, the atomizing liquid may emulate various physical characteristics of tobacco smoke upon atomization, such as a visible plume and/or the temperature, bulk, flavor, or other organoleptic qualities of the inhaled stream. Furthermore the atomizing liquid may also act to enhance the solvation characteristics of the fluid stream or act to deliver heat energy to another material or substance, such as through condensation. According to the present invention, the atomizing liquid may include propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, for example. Transition of a chemical species from liquid form to a gaseous phase or nebulized phase is commonly facilitated by rapid heating on a resistive coil, or nebulization via a vibrating film, plate, or reed. It is to be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to utilization of the stated methods and/or chemicals, but may employ any suitable mechanism capable of transitioning a liquid into a gaseous or nebulized phase to be carried in a fluid stream providing the desired functions as stated or implied.
The present invention relates to breathable fluid delivery apparatuses, such as electronic cigarettes and other inhalation devices, including an exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge containing a liquid mixture of chemical species to be introduced into a breathable fluid stream passing through the cartridge, which may comprise air in combination with atomized liquid, vapor, or both. With respect to the phrase “introduced into a breathable fluid stream,” one skilled in the art will understand the term “breathable” in a broad sense of being comfortable for a human user to inhale intermittently, as in the ordinary use of electronic cigarettes, vaping pens, and similar devices. In the context of the invention, the term “breathable fluid stream” includes but is by no means limited to pure air and substances similarly suitable for breathing continuously for extended time periods. The exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge may be disposed in an auxiliary conduit attachment substituting for the mouthpiece of an atomized liquid delivery system (such as an existing electronic cigarette).
The present invention also discloses disposable and exchangeable tanks for e-liquids. In some embodiments, a tank comes factory-sealed with e-liquid already inside. In other embodiments, a user can inject or otherwise insert an e-liquid of choice into the tank before use. In some embodiments, the e-liquid comprises propylene glycol (pg), vegetable glycerin (vg), or both. In some embodiments the e-liquid further comprises natural or artificial flavorings, nicotine, or other functional substances. In some embodiments the pg/vg liquid is contained in the tank, while the flavorings or other functional substances are contained in a cartridge downstream of tank, whereby heating and atomization occur only on the pg/vg, and the flavorings or other functional substances are mixed with the aerosolized pg/vg later.
In a preferred embodiment, a tank of the present invention comprises a substantially cylindrical reservoir containing e-liquid. The reservoir has an outer wall which may be translucent to allow visualization of the quantity of e-liquid remaining in the tank. The tank also has an inner wall separating the reservoir from a central bore that is configured to receive an atomizer there through. The inner and outer walls are joined together at a distal end of the tank, closing off the tank and forming a trough bound by the inner and outer walls. On the proximal end, a metal cap seals the trough, making it fluid-tight. The base is connected to the atomizer and has a connector, which is compatible with battery units, such as via a 510 connector.
As is known in the art, the atomizer comprises a metal coil and a wicking material extending into the tank, capable of drawing e-liquid into the coil. When in use the coil is electrically connected to the positive and negative terminals of the battery unit. The coil is capable of receiving power from the battery and heating the e-liquid soaked up by the wick, thereby atomizing the liquid. The atomized liquid can be drawn through the breathable fluid stream and out the distal end of the central bore, which can be connected to a separate mouthpiece. Optionally the tank can have a mouthpiece permanently affixed.
The tank may be constructed from resilient materials such as plastics and metals, that are capable of withstanding the heat and pressures that would commonly be present in a vaping apparatus. Nevertheless, the tank may be a single-use device, such that when the e-liquid is used up, the empty tank is disposable and/or recyclable. In some embodiments the tank is constructed to prevent it from being refilled by usual means of refilling a tank, as known in the art. For example, many prior art tanks can easily be manually pulled apart and more e-juice inserted via a dropper or injector. In certain embodiments, the tanks of the present disclosure can be refilled by the manufacturer inserting a needle through a fill port in the base.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for delivering a functional liquid in a breathable fluid stream for inhalation is provided. The apparatus may be an attachment for a breathable fluid delivery device, comprising a mouthpiece, which may be removable, including a distal opening in fluid communication with a proximal opening; and a cartridge comprising a fluid-permeable packing material, configured for drawing a breathable fluid through the packing material by inhaling through the mouthpiece. The phrase “in fluid communication” will be understood to refer broadly to components or features of the device disposed in the path of a common fluid channel or conduit, without limitation to components that are necessarily directly adjacent to one another.
The packing material may contain a functional liquid disposed to be introduced into the fluid stream as the fluid stream passes through the packing material and to be carried in the fluid stream in a breathable form when the fluid stream passes out of the mouthpiece through the distal opening. The functional fluid may provide a flavor, a recreational and/or medicinal drug effect, or other desired effect when the breathable fluid stream is inhaled.
A cartridge suitable for use with embodiments of the invention may consist solely of a fluid permeable packing, or may further comprise additional elements. For example, the cartridge may include a casing covering at least a portion of the packing. Where present, the casing may include open ends or fluid permeable ends that nonetheless provide support to prevent the packing from falling out of or being removed from the casing. Whether the casing includes open ends or fluid-permeable ends that support/retain the packing, the ends of the casing may be sealable for storage or shipping by a removably adhered film. The packing itself may also take different forms, including a single solid porous body or pod, or a mass of fibers, particles, or grains having spaces there between, functioning to permit fluid passage, similarly to the pores of a single porous body.
The cartridge may be retained in a housing. In some embodiments the housing and cartridge are manufactured and made available to the consumer as a single unit, which is not intended to be opened, and the liquid not intended to be removed except via atomization and regular use with a vaporization device. In such an embodiment the cartridge and housing together are a single exchangeable and disposable unit. The cartridge housing includes a proximal opening in fluid communication with the breathable base fluid (such as atomized or aerosolized pg/vg) and a distal opening in fluid communication with the proximal mouthpiece opening, and the housing may include a structure to support the cartridge in a position in which a portion, such as a proximal end, of the cartridge is in fluid communication with the proximal housing opening and a portion, such as a distal end, of the cartridge is in fluid communication with the distal housing opening. The housing may be removably connected to a fluid delivery device, for example via a coupling adaptor, the fluid delivery device being configured to deliver a stream of the breathable base fluid into the proximal housing opening. Coupling adaptors according to the invention may or may not be interchangeable with existing mouthpieces of existing breathable fluid devices. Such coupling adaptors are well known in the art, such as the 510/eGo threading adaptor, as used on the eGo Twist available from Joyetech USA, Inc. (Irvine, Calif.).
Preferably, the apparatus or attachment includes a flow channel in which the packing is disposed, the flow channel including a wider portion adjacent at least one of the distal and the proximal end of the cartridge, and a narrower portion adjacent the wider portion and extending therefrom in a direction away from the cartridge. Advantageously, to maximize the surface area available for inflow of breathable fluid through the cartridge, a spacer feature abuts the cartridge to maintain an axial distance between the cartridge and the narrower channel portion. The spacer feature may comprise a separate annular member, or it may be integrated into, for example, a cartridge casing or housing. The spacer may have a uniform longitudinal dimension, or it may have a tapered dimension, so that no part of the proximal/upstream/inlet area of the cartridge is covered so as to block inflow of breathable fluid.
Referring to FIG. 1, through FIG. 9 there is shown first a side perspective view in close condition. Those skilled in the art understand that the cap may be magnetic and sensitive enough to stay close yet open with minimal force.
Referring now also to FIG. 2, there is shown a front view in close condition and rear View, is a mirror view of Front View, also we see FIG. 3 which is a top view.
FIG. 4 shows a bottom view, while FIG. 5 is a left side view in close condition and Right Side View is a mirror view of Left Side View.
FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view in open condition.
FIG. 7 shows the front view in open condition and rear View is a mirror view of Front View.
FIG. 8 shows a left sideview in open condition and Right Side View is a mirror view of Left Side View and
FIG. 9 is a Top View.
While several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present disclosure. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present disclosure is/are used.
Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the disclosure described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present disclosure is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.
All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.
The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless dearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified, unless clearly indicated to the contrary.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described (or portions thereof), and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such equivalents.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language mans that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using consisting of or consisting essentially of language. When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the transition term “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claims. The transition term “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s). Embodiments of the invention so claimed are inherently or expressly described and enabled herein.
As one skilled in the art would recognize as necessary or best-suited for performance of the methods of the invention, a computer system or machines of the invention include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both), a main memory and a static memory, which communicate with each other via a bus.
A processor may be provided by one or more processors including, for example, one or more of a single core or multi-core processor (e.g., AMD Phenom II X2, Intel Core Duo, AMD Phenom II X4, Intel Core i5, Intel Core I & Extreme Edition 980X, or Intel Xeon E7-2820).
An I/O mechanism may include a video display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), an alphanumeric input device (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit, a signal generation device (e.g., a speaker), an accelerometer, a microphone, a cellular radio frequency antenna, and a network interface device (e.g., a network interface card (NIC), Wi-Fi card, cellular modem, data jack, Ethernet port, modem jack, HDMI port, mini-HDMI port, USB port), touchscreen (e.g., CRT, LCD, LED, AMOLED, Super AMOLED), pointing device, trackpad, light (e.g., LED), light/image projection device, or a combination thereof.
Memory according to the invention refers to a non-transitory memory which is provided by one or more tangible devices which preferably include one or more machine-readable medium on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The software may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory, processor, or both during execution thereof by a computer within system, the main memory and the processor also constituting machine-readable media. The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via the network interface device.
While the machine-readable medium can in an exemplary embodiment be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. Memory may be, for example, one or more of a hard disk drive, solid state drive (SSD), an optical disc, flash memory, zip disk, tape drive, “cloud” storage location, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, a device of the invention includes a tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium for memory. Exemplary devices for use as memory include semiconductor memory devices, (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, solid state drive (SSD), and flash memory devices e.g., SD, micro SD, SDXC, SDIO, SDHC cards); magnetic disks, (e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks); and optical disks (e.g., CD and DVD disks).
Furthermore, numerous references have been made to patents and printed publications throughout this specification. Each of the above-cited references and printed publications are individually incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Claims

1. In an enhanced modular device for imparting a substance into a breathable fluid stream of an e-cigarette, the improvement which comprises, in combination:

a fluid-permeable packing material containing a functional substance;

a housing with a transparent window in the shape of an exclamation point (!) configured to contain the packing material, the housing having a proximal end and a distal end in fluid communication with each other, wherein the proximal end is configured to be mated downstream of and in fluid communication with an atomizer, and the distal end is capable of drawing a fluid stream there through;

wherein when a fluid stream is drawn through the distal end of the housing, an atomized fluid from the atomizer passes through the packing material and the functional substance is imparted into the fluid stream; and

wherein the modular unit includes a sealed disposable unit which precludes opening or releasing of any functional substance outside of exclusively with the atomizing apparatus.

2. The enhanced modular device of claim 1, wherein the packing material is situated within a casing that is at least partially fluid permeable at a proximal and distal end.

3. The enhanced modular device of claim 1, wherein the packing material and functional substance have been manufactured together such that no assembly is required from a user.

4. The enhanced modular device of claim 1, wherein the packing material is configured to be switched out by a user.

5. The enhanced modular device of claim 1, wherein the packing material is configured to have a functional substance added to it by a user.

6. The enhanced modular device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises one or more o-rings, gaskets or functional equivalents for creating a fluid-tight seal between the housing and an apparatus containing the atomizer.

7. The enhanced modular device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the housing is connected to a mouthpiece.

8. The ornamental shape and style of the mouthpiece as shown in the figures.

9. The enhanced modular device of claim 1, wherein the functional substance is at least one of a liquid, a powder, and a flavoring.

10. The enhanced device of claim 1, wherein the functional substance comprises essential oils and/or cannabinoids.

11. The enhanced device of claim 1, wherein the functional substance comprises at least one of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, cannabinoids, and flavoring.

12. The disposable e-liquid tank of claim 11, wherein the tank is pre-filled by a manufacturer and is configured to remain sealed throughout its use.

13. The disposable e-liquid tank of claim 11, wherein the tank is configured to release e-liquid in its atomized form but not in its liquid form.

14. The disposable e-liquid tank of claim 11, wherein the base further comprises a fill port configured to accept a needle for filling the tank.

15. The disposable e-liquid tank of claim 11, wherein the base further comprises a plug situated within the fill port to form a seal.

16. The disposable e-liquid tank of claim 11, wherein the disposable tank further comprises at least one of a flavoring, a medicament and propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin and combinations thereof.