WO2015179002A2 - Ensemble cigarette électronique doté d'un réservoir jetable - Google Patents

Ensemble cigarette électronique doté d'un réservoir jetable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015179002A2
WO2015179002A2 PCT/US2015/019856 US2015019856W WO2015179002A2 WO 2015179002 A2 WO2015179002 A2 WO 2015179002A2 US 2015019856 W US2015019856 W US 2015019856W WO 2015179002 A2 WO2015179002 A2 WO 2015179002A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fluid
liquid
atomizing
cartridge
tank
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2015/019856
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2015179002A3 (fr
Inventor
Kevin DEMERRITT
Justin BRAUNE
Nicholas Grayson SULLIVAN
Jeffrey C. RABER
Steve Piorek
Original Assignee
Voodoo Science Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US14/203,560 external-priority patent/US20150258288A1/en
Priority claimed from US14/333,920 external-priority patent/US20150257447A1/en
Application filed by Voodoo Science Llc filed Critical Voodoo Science Llc
Publication of WO2015179002A2 publication Critical patent/WO2015179002A2/fr
Priority to US14/984,564 priority Critical patent/US20160192708A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2015/068113 priority patent/WO2016109701A1/fr
Publication of WO2015179002A3 publication Critical patent/WO2015179002A3/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/06—Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/30—Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
    • A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/65—Devices with integrated communication means, e.g. Wi-Fi
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/0001—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
    • A61M15/002—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof with air flow regulating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F15/00—Receptacles or boxes specially adapted for cigars, cigarettes, simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor
    • A24F15/01—Receptacles or boxes specially adapted for cigars, cigarettes, simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor specially adapted for simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor
    • A24F15/015—Receptacles or boxes specially adapted for cigars, cigarettes, simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor specially adapted for simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor with means for refilling of liquid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
    • A61M11/005—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes using ultrasonics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
    • A61M11/04—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
    • A61M11/041—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised using heaters
    • A61M11/042—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised using heaters electrical
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
    • A61M15/0068—Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
    • A61M15/008—Electronic counters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/0085—Inhalators using ultrasonics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/0003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
    • A61M2016/0015—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure inhalation detectors
    • A61M2016/0018—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure inhalation detectors electrical
    • A61M2016/0024—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure inhalation detectors electrical with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/27—General characteristics of the apparatus preventing use
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/50—General characteristics of the apparatus with microprocessors or computers
    • A61M2205/502—User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/50—General characteristics of the apparatus with microprocessors or computers
    • A61M2205/52—General characteristics of the apparatus with microprocessors or computers with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to breathable fluid delivery devices such as electronic cigarettes, and more specifically to configurations including interchangeable and disposable parts for introduction of chemical species into a breathable fluid stream provided thereby.
  • 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. See Demick, "A high-tech approach to getting a nicotine fix," Los Angeles Times, April 25, 2009. However, similar devices were developed earlier, such as Herbert A. Gilbert's smokeless non-tobacco cigarette, described in U.S. Patent 3,200,819, incorporated herein by reference.
  • Today's electronic cigarettes are generally battery-powered 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.
  • drippers 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.
  • 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.
  • e-liquid delivery systems have other drawbacks as well.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • particularly heat sensitive species include thiosulfinates derived from plants of the Alliacea family.
  • the present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods that make it more convenient for a user to exchange the flavoring or physiological active species with ease and without mixing of previously loaded mixtures. It further provides devices, systems, and methods for introducing flavoring, nicotine, or other chemical species desired for consumption by the user into e-cigarette vapor without heating them, thus avoiding excessive pyrolysis or degradation to those ingredients.
  • the disclosure provides flexibility to tailor a unique experience for each specific user.
  • the disclosure further provides safer alternatives to current e-liquid containers and devices, making them less accessible to children, and making harmful exposure to liquid nicotine less likely in general.
  • the disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods wherein a solution of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or both (pg/vg solution) is kept separate from the flavoring, nicotine, or other active ingredients.
  • pg/vg solution a solution of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or both
  • the e-liquid that is heated and atomized by the hot coil consists solely of pg and vg, while the flavoring, nicotine, or other active ingredients are added to the vapor afterwards.
  • the flavoring for example, can be added to the vapor by means of the vapor passing through a cartridge containing the flavoring.
  • breathable fluid delivery device or inhalation device components are presented.
  • the disclosure presents an auxiliary conduit attachment for coupling with electronic cigarettes whereby chemical species can be introduced into a fluid stream provided by a coupled parent electronic cigarette or apparatus capable of forming such a fluid stream as described herein.
  • a tank for use with a battery base of an electronic vaping device.
  • the tank may include an atomizer.
  • the tank may be factory- sealed, with a pre-loaded amount of e-liquid contained therein.
  • the tank may be configured to prevent a user from opening the tank or otherwise extracting the liquid, except by atomizing it with a proper vaping device.
  • the tank may be designed to prevent refilling with e-liquid, or in other words, to be disposable, such that when the e-liquid is expended, the tank is intended to be discarded.
  • a complete inhalation device such as an electronic cigarette device, for delivery of atomized liquid and other functional chemical species.
  • the device is preferably a handheld assembly of components including a battery assembly, an electronic control circuit, at least one atomizing element, and a series of fluid conduits.
  • the atomizing element may comprise any suitable mechanism for atomizing a liquid to be introduced into a breathable (generally interchangeable with "inhalable” for purposes of this description and claims) fluid stream.
  • the fluid conduits include an atomization liquid storage chamber, an atomization chamber, a suitable exchangeable fluid-permeable body, illustrated and described herein as a "cartridge” comprising a porous packing material for containing a functional liquid, and a mouthpiece.
  • Cartridges generally referred to herein may include a casing for containing the porous packing material, which is desirable for retaining functional liquid within the cartridge and/or imparting a shape to certain packing materials.
  • the packing material is a solid, stiff, unitary mass, which may be termed a "pod" in the context of the invention, the casing is not essential to hold the shape of the pod, and may optionally be omitted despite the possible increased tendency of leaking or evaporation of functional liquid therefrom.
  • the device includes an atomizing element associated with the cartridge itself, to atomize and facilitate the introduction of the functional liquid contained in the cartridge into the breathable fluid stream, either in lieu of or in addition to an atomizer tank assembly connected in line with the cartridge.
  • the device further includes electronic components such as a battery, an electronic controller for directing a controlled voltage and current to other electronic components, a user display and/or input interface, a signal receiver component, electrically powered atomizing elements, a button/switch/other manual actuator, and conductive wires or other circuit elements.
  • electronic components such as a battery, an electronic controller for directing a controlled voltage and current to other electronic components, a user display and/or input interface, a signal receiver component, electrically powered atomizing elements, a button/switch/other manual actuator, and conductive wires or other circuit elements.
  • the electronic controller may include a processor, a memory, and/or one or more sensors, which enable the device to perform functions such as storing, recalling, and presenting to a user historical device state data or usage data, adjusting current or voltage in response to detected overheating of components or other predetermined device states, automatically actuating atomizing elements in response to sensing a user drawing breath from a mouthpiece, and actuating or "unlocking" atomizing elements in response to a passcode input.
  • functions such as storing, recalling, and presenting to a user historical device state data or usage data, adjusting current or voltage in response to detected overheating of components or other predetermined device states, automatically actuating atomizing elements in response to sensing a user drawing breath from a mouthpiece, and actuating or "unlocking" atomizing elements in response to a passcode input.
  • 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.
  • breathable fluid delivery device or inhalation device components are presented.
  • the disclosure presents an auxiliary conduit attachment for coupling with electronic cigarettes whereby chemical species can be introduced into a fluid stream provided by a coupled parent electronic cigarette or apparatus capable of forming such a fluid stream as described herein.
  • a complete inhalation device such as an electronic cigarette device, for delivery of atomized liquid and other functional chemical species.
  • the device is preferably a handheld assembly of components including a battery assembly, an electronic control circuit, at least one atomizing element, and a series of fluid conduits.
  • the atomizing element may comprise any suitable mechanism for atomizing a liquid to be introduced into a breathable (generally interchangeable with "inhalable” for purposes of this description and claims) fluid stream.
  • the fluid conduits include an atomization liquid storage chamber, an atomization chamber, a suitable exchangeable fluid-permeable body, illustrated and described herein as a "cartridge” comprising a porous packing material for containing a functional liquid, and a mouthpiece.
  • Cartridges generally referred to herein include a casing for containing the porous packing material, which is desirable for retaining functional liquid within the cartridge and/or imparting a shape to certain packing materials.
  • the packing material is a solid, stiff, unitary mass, which may be termed a "pod" in the context of the invention, the casing is not essential to hold the shape of the pod, and may optionally be omitted despite the possible increased tendency of leaking or evaporation of functional liquid therefrom.
  • the device includes an atomizing element associated with the cartridge itself, to atomize and facilitate the introduction of the functional liquid contained in the cartridge into the breathable fluid stream, either in lieu of or in addition to an atomizer tank assembly connected in line with the cartridge.
  • the device further includes electronic components such as a battery, an electronic controller for directing a controlled voltage and current to other electronic components, a user display and/or input interface, a signal receiver component, electrically powered atomizing elements, a button/switch/other manual actuator, and conductive wires or other circuit elements.
  • electronic components such as a battery, an electronic controller for directing a controlled voltage and current to other electronic components, a user display and/or input interface, a signal receiver component, electrically powered atomizing elements, a button/switch/other manual actuator, and conductive wires or other circuit elements.
  • the electronic controller may include a processor, a memory, and/or one or more sensors, which enable the device to perform functions such as storing, recalling, and presenting to a user historical device state data or usage data, adjusting current or voltage in response to detected overheating of components or other predetermined device states, automatically actuating atomizing elements in response to sensing a user drawing breath from a mouthpiece, and actuating or "unlocking" atomizing elements in response to a passcode input.
  • functions such as storing, recalling, and presenting to a user historical device state data or usage data, adjusting current or voltage in response to detected overheating of components or other predetermined device states, automatically actuating atomizing elements in response to sensing a user drawing breath from a mouthpiece, and actuating or "unlocking" atomizing elements in response to a passcode input.
  • FIG. 1A is a cap device for use with a dripper.
  • FIG. IB is a cross-section of a cap device for use with a dripper.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cap device from FIG. 1A and FIG. IB.
  • FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a fluid-permeable cartridge according to another aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an end view of a fluid permeable end of the cartridge shown in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional transverse view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 5
  • FIG. 6A is a disposable atomizer tank.
  • FIG. 6B is a cross-section of a disposable atomizer tank.
  • FIG. 6C is an atomizer for use with the disclosed devices.
  • FIG. 6D is a base of an atomizer tank.
  • FIG. 6E is an exploded view of an atomizer tank.
  • FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an exchangeable atomizer tank assembly according to another aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative exchangeable atomizer tank assembly according to another aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a transverse exploded plan view of a complete inhalation device incorporating a fluid permeable cartridge and variable valve system in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an exchangeable atomizer tank assembly according to another aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of an inhalation device, illustrating an atomizer tank.
  • FIG. 12 is a transverse plan view of an inhalation device attachment.
  • FIG. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the attachment shown in FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the attachment shown in FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 15 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the attachment shown in FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 16 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an attachment, showing a closed valve.
  • FIG. 17 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the attachment shown in FIG. 16, showing the valve in a partially open position.
  • FIG. 18 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the attachment shown in FIG. 16, showing the valve in a fully open position.
  • FIG. 19 is a transverse plan view of the attachment shown in FIG. 16.
  • FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the attachment shown in FIG. 16.
  • FIG. 21 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another attachment according to the invention.
  • FIG. 22 is a transverse plan view of another attachment according to the invention.
  • FIG. 23 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the attachment shown in FIG. 22.
  • FIG. 24 is a distal end view of an alternative cartridge housing and an alternative cartridge housing cover section of the attachment shown in FIG. 22.
  • FIG. 25 is a transverse view of an alternative coupling adaptor component of the attachment shown in FIG. 22, including an integral valve needle.
  • FIG. 26 is a proximal end view of a distal cartridge housing cover section of the attachment shown in FIG. 22.
  • FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional proximal perspective view of the distal cartridge housing cover section shown in FIG. 26.
  • FIG. 28 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an integrated cartridge and valve seat of the attachment shown in FIG. 22.
  • FIG. 29 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an alternative integrated cartridge and valve seat for use in the attachment shown in FIG. 22.
  • FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the integrated cartridge and valve seat depicted in FIG. 29.
  • FIG. 31 is a distal end view of an alternative valve needle and coupling adaptor component accommodating a clicker element.
  • FIG. 32 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the alternative valve needle and coupling adaptor component accommodating a clicker element shown in FIG. 31.
  • FIG. 33 is a distal perspective view of the alternative valve needle and coupling adaptor component accommodating a clicker element shown in FIG. 31.
  • FIG. 34 is an exploded proximal perspective view of a valve assembly including the alternative valve needle and coupling adaptor component accommodating a clicker element shown in FIG. 31.
  • FIG. 35 is a transverse view of another embodiment of a complete inhalation device.
  • FIG. 36 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the inhalation device shown in FIG. 35.
  • FIG. 37 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the inhalation device shown in FIG. 35, illustrating an atomizer tank assembly thereof.
  • FIG. 38 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the inhalation device shown in FIG. 35, illustrating the relationship between a cartridge component and an atomizer tank assembly thereof.
  • FIG. 39 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another alternative inhalation device.
  • FIG. 40 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the inhalation device shown in FIG. 25, illustrating a snap-locking throttle valve assembly thereof.
  • FIG. 41 is fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of another alternative inhalation device, illustrating a threaded, snap-locking throttle valve assembly thereof.
  • FIG. 42 is an exploded view of an entire inhalation device incorporating the throttle valve assembly illustrated in FIG. 41
  • FIG. 43 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an exchangeable fluid-permeable cartridge according to an aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 44 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another exchangeable fluid-permeable cartridge according to an aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 45 is a transverse view of still another exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge according to an aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 46 is a transverse cross-sectional view of yet another exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge according to an aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 47 is a transverse cross-sectional view of still another exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge according to an aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 48 is transverse cross-sectional view of a battery/controller component according to another aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 49 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the snap-locking throttle valve assembly shown in FIG. 40, showing the most open position in an adjustable range thereof and indicating illustrative fluid flow pathways.
  • FIG. 50 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of a connection between a battery/controller component and an atomizer tank assembly according to an aspect of the invention, indicating illustrative breathable fluid inlet pathways into an inhalation device.
  • FIG. 51 is an exploded view of the connection shown in FIG. 50.
  • FIG. 52 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of an inhalation device incorporating stacked fluid-permeable pods in an exchangeable cartridge according to another aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 53 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an exchangeable cartridge incorporating an atomizing element according to still another aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 54 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an exchangeable cartridge incorporating an atomizing element and a liquid reservoir according to yet another aspect of the invention.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the breathable fluid stream travels in a proximal-to-distal direction during normal use of the vaping devices disclosed herein.
  • 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.
  • fluid 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • a breathable fluid stream passing through the cartridge, which may comprise air in combination with atomized liquid, vapor, or both.
  • 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.
  • a tank comes factory- sealed with e-liquid already inside.
  • a user can inject or otherwise insert an e-liquid of choice into the tank before use.
  • the e-liquid comprises propylene glycol (pg), vegetable glycerin (vg), or both.
  • the e-liquid further comprises natural or artificial flavorings, nicotine, or other functional substances.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the atomizer comprises a metal coil and a wicking material extending into the tank, capable of drawing e-liquid into the coil.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • an apparatus for delivering a functional liquid in a breathable fluid stream for inhalation 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.
  • 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.
  • the cartridge may include a casing covering at least a portion of the packing.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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, CA).
  • the housing cover may comprise two separate cover sections removably connected together to at least substantially surround the housing but for a proximal housing cover opening in fluid communication with the proximal housing opening and a distal housing cover opening in fluid communication with the distal housing opening.
  • the two housing cover sections may be threaded together, or, for example, mated together by an insertable portion of one of the sections being slidingly inserted into a receiving portion of the other section.
  • the housing cover sections preferably comprise a resilient member disposed on at least one of the insertable portion and the receiving portion to seal the connection between the housing sections and to frictionally retain the housing sections in a mated configuration.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the cartridge described herein comprises a fluid-permeable packing material containing an absorbed or adsorbed quantity of a functional liquid configured to be introduced into a breathable fluid stream flowing through the cartridge.
  • the cartridge contains a functional liquid not absorbed or adsorbed into a packing material.
  • the cartridge may further include a fluid-impermeable covering disposed over at least a portion of the outer surface area of the packing material. Such a covering may comprise a wall structure generally surrounding the packing material, with or without one or two fluid-permeable ends joined to the wall structure to fully retain/cover/encase the packing.
  • the covering may include a fluid-impermeable film material removably fixed over the ends of the covering to seal the packing material and functional liquid within the covering for storage and/or transport prior to use of the cartridge.
  • the covering may also accept sealing caps that may be compressed onto the ends, such as plastic caps, which could act to seal the cartridge when it is not in use or in storage.
  • Suitable film materials may include, without limitation, metal foil, BoPET (Biaxially- oriented polyethylene terephthalate), and plastics, and the film may be affixed by adhesive and/or heat-fused wax.
  • Packing materials may be selected from among cotton, foam, fibrous media, stacked thread, stone, synthetic porous media, and any other materials having the desired adsorption/absorption and fluid permeability properties.
  • a conduit assembly for a breathable fluid delivery device is provided.
  • a fluid-permeable cartridge is disposed in a main fluid channel for inhalation delivery of a breathable fluid stream, the cartridge containing a functional liquid disposed to be introduced in a breathable form into a breathable base fluid flowing in the main fluid channel through the cartridge.
  • a source of the breathable base fluid is connected in fluid communication with an upstream end of the cartridge - this may be any reservoir of or component or system for delivering a breathable base fluid, including but not limited to a fluid tank and a heating coil or vibration element, for example, where such a tank and atomizing element are sometimes collectively termed a "cartomizer” or a “clearomizer,” as are well known in the art.
  • a mouthpiece is connected in fluid communication with a downstream end of the cartridge, and an adjustable valve system may be incorporated in the assembly for adjusting the flow impedance of a bypass channel passing around the cartridge relative to the flow impedance of a portion of the main channel extending through the cartridge.
  • breathable fluid delivery device components are presented.
  • the disclosure presents an auxiliary conduit attachment for coupling with electronic cigarettes whereby chemical species can be introduced into a fluid stream provided by a coupled parent electronic cigarette or apparatus capable of forming such a fluid stream as described herein.
  • an auxiliary conduit attachment 100 for coupling with breathable fluid delivery devices such as electronic cigarettes will now be described.
  • the attachment or cap 100 is designed for use with a dripper base, such as the Patriot RDA, available from Vapor Labs, Inc. (Garden Grove, CA).
  • the cap 100 is attachable at its proximal end to a dripper base and fits snugly thereon.
  • the atomizer of a dripper base unit (not shown) fits in the cavity 110 formed at the proximal end of the cap 100.
  • e-liquid containing only pg and/or vg is dripped onto the coils, and the atomized vapor then travels distally through the lumen of the cap towards the chamber 120 containing a cartridge (shown in FIG. 3 and described in detail below).
  • a cartridge or "pod" may contain a flavor and/or other functional substance.
  • the distal portion 130 of the cap 100 has a threaded region that attaches to a threaded region of the proximal portion 140. A user can inhale through the distal portion, or can attach a mouthpiece. In other embodiments not shown, the cap 100 can attach in line with additional housings with cartridges.
  • FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the cap device of FIG. 1. An O- ring fits between the proximal portion 140 and the distal portions 130, creating a seal.
  • the cartridge 16 may comprise a casing 24, fluid permeable ends 26 and 28, and a fluid permeable packing 30, which may for example be a single porous body or a mass of fibers, coarse grains, or particles of material including spaces there between, even if the individual fibers, grains, or particles are themselves non-porous.
  • Casing 24 is preferably a tubelike structure having a hollow channel spanning its length and open ends. At the ends of casing 24, fluid permeable ends 26 and 28 are connected or attached to allow the passage of a fluid through the casing channel and packing 30, while providing containment of packing 30 inside casing 24.
  • Fluid permeable ends 26 and 28 may be, but are not limited to, mesh screens or perforated sheets having arrayed apertures 32, as illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • one or both of ends 26 and 28 may be constructed from the same piece of material as the casing 24, but with fluid permeable properties.
  • Ends 26 and 28 may be constructed to permit sealing with a thin film or the like (not shown) for storage and packaging of cartridge 16.
  • This film may for example be metal foil, plastic, or other comparable materials that could be fixed to ends 26 and 28 via an adhesive, heat fused wax, or other comparable method.
  • FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the cartridge 16 of FIG. 3.
  • Packing 30 may be composed of any suitable material that is fluid permeable and does not pose an inhalation health risk. Suitable materials for packing 30 include cotton, foam, stacked thread, porous stone, synthetic porous media, or any other material which is capable of adsorbing or absorbing the desired chemical species in liquid phase. Packing 30 is configured to accept a functional liquid, while still maintaining fluid permeable properties. In particular, packing 30 should be capable of holding a reasonable quantity of the functional liquid before becoming saturated, to avoid the need for frequent replacement of cartridge 16.
  • the surface chemistry of the packing material favors the adsorption of the functional liquid in order to improve saturation and functional liquid load.
  • a porous media having a surface chemistry that is hydrophilic may better saturate with hydrophilic functional liquids.
  • a sintered porous plastic has proven to be a particularly effective porous medium, due to its tendency to force an air flow to spread generally evenly across its entire cross-sectional area, thereby exposing a greater volume of air to the functional liquid. This widening/dispersion of the air stream is believed to be largely due to a significant flow resistance produced by the material, as evidenced by a noticeable pressure drop across the length of cartridge 16 when packed and saturated. Other media may exhibit similar flow properties with similar effects.
  • Functional liquids that may be advantageously contained in cartridges according to the invention include, without limitation, esters, acetate esters, alcohols, acids, lactones, carbonyls, terpenes, thiols, saturated and unsaturated thiosulfinates, hemiterpenes, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sesterterpenes, triterpenes, sesquiterpenes, tetraterpenes,
  • the current invention may also employ the vast array of melanoidins, a class of chemicals produced by Maillard reactions, wherein amino acids and reducing sugars are heated together to produce complex compositions of chemicals derived therefrom.
  • extracts from plants and other biological materials may be utilized.
  • Pharmaceutical inhalation delivery drugs may also be utilized, such as Ciclesonide, Cromolyn Sodium, Ipratropium Bromide, Nedocromil Inhalation, Albuterol Sulfate, Triamcinolone Acetonide, Albuterol Sulfate, Levalbuterol Tartrate, Flunisolide Hemihydrate, Fluticasone Propionate, Salmeterol, Fluticasone Propionate, Paclitaxel, Salmeterol Xinafoate, Metaproterenol Sulfate, Beclomethasone Dipropionate HFA, Beclomethasone Dipropionate Monohydrate, Ribavirin, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, Loxapine, Insulin, Pirbuterol, Budesonide, Formoterol Fumarate Dihydrate, Methacholine Chloride, Mometasone Furoate, Pentamidine Isethionate, Dornase alfa, Iloprost, Tobramycin,
  • a cartridge within the scope of the invention may consist of only an open ended casing and a fluid permeable packing material residing inside the casing, such as a porous body, a quantity of particulate material, or a mass of fibers.
  • the embodiment may contain the packing partially or completely saturated with a said functional fluid and the cartridge as a whole may be exchangeable in the same fashion as that of the disclosed embodiment consisting of casing 24, packing 30, and fluid permeable ends 26, 28.
  • the cartridge may consist solely of a packing material, which may not necessarily have an outer casing or fluid permeable ends.
  • the porous material may be partially or completely saturated with a functional fluid and may be exchangeable in the same fashion as that of the disclosed embodiment having casing 24 and fluid permeable ends 26, 28.
  • the cartridge is pre-filled with flavoring or a functional substance during manufacturing.
  • a user can insert a substance into the pod.
  • the pod may be single-use or reusable. In some embodiments multiple pods can be used together or "stacked" on top of each other to allow customizability for the user.
  • Other embodiments of the device may include powdered nicotine or other functional substance in the pod or elsewhere in the breathable fluid conduit, such that those additional substances can be interchangeably added into the fluid stream.
  • components are generally composed of a relatively hard, durable, and non-corrosive material, such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass, graphite, ceramics, silicon carbide, certain plastics or other suitable materials.
  • Plastics used for components of an inhalation device according to the invention should generally be highly chemically resistant, as some functional fluids, such as certain alcohols, have been shown to cause degradation of certain existing plastic mouthpieces and polycarbonate parts. Suitable plastics may include silicones, thermoplastic elastomers/TPEs, Santoprene®,
  • polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE
  • polyaryletherketone family plastics such as PEEK (polyether ether ketone), PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride), Nylon®, Teflon®, HDPE (high density polyethylene), LDPE (low density polyethylene), Acetal, ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), Halar®, Fluorosint®,
  • materials used do not pose a significant health risk to users under normal use conditions, and should be selected to be compatible with the functional fluids used.
  • some functional fluids suitable for use according to the invention including alcohols and terpenes, are corrosive to certain materials that are otherwise desirable for use in the devices of the invention.
  • Polycarbonate is an example of a clear, hard plastic that may be advantageously used for device components, so long as it is not exposed to certain functional fluids that may damage it.
  • FIGS. 6a and 6b shows an atomizer tank 600 for holding e-liquid.
  • FIG. 6a shows the tank 600 as assembled for shipment and delivery.
  • the tank 600 has a disposable top seal 611 and a disposable bottom seal 612 for protecting the internal parts of the tank prior to delivery to a user.
  • FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view showing the internal parts of the tank.
  • the disposable bottom seal covers the connector 620 portion of the base 640.
  • the connector is a "510" connector, but in other embodiments a different type of connector can be used.
  • the connector is capable of connecting with a battery unit (not shown), which powers the atomizer 630.
  • the atomizer shown is a Kanger Coil Unit, available at www.szkanger.com, as shown in another view in FIG. 6C.
  • the atomizer screws into the internal threads of the base 640.
  • the atomizer 630 sits within the central bore 650 defined by the internal wall 661 of the tank, and the disposable top seal 611 fits into the distal portion of the atomizer coil unit 630.
  • the outer wall 662 of the tank is in contact with a gasket 665, which forms a seal between the base and the outer wall 662, creating a fluid-tight trough 690 inside the tank 600.
  • the wick 632 of the atomizer extends into the trough area 690 of the tank, so that it can be in contact with the e-liquid contained therein.
  • the individual components of the tank are shown in an exploded view of the tank in FIG. 6E.
  • the manufacture inserts the disposable gasket 665 into the disposable base. Then the atomizer 630 is screwed into the base 640 until the threads bottom out. The tank is pressed onto the base 640 until the snap fit 644 is engaged. The top seal 611 is inserted into the distal portion of the tank, and the bottom seal 612 is inserted over the threads of the connector 620 portion of the base.
  • FIG. 6d shows a view of the base unit 640.
  • the base includes a fill port 647. After assembly the tank is filled with pg/vg by inserting a needle through the fill port 647 in the base. The needle punctures the self-healing gasket 665. A plug 649 is inserted into the fill port.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 depict alternative embodiments of exchangeable atomizer tanks, with separable and built-in atomizing elements, respectively.
  • exchangeable atomizer tanks facilitate alternation between atomizing liquids (such as liquids having different flavors, for example) by switching out one partially used tank for another, as well as permitting disposal and replacement of relatively cheap to manufacture tank components, typically made of plastic, of an atomization system with new, optionally prefilled components.
  • an exchangeable atomizer tank assembly 274 is depicted, arranged between a battery/controller connector 275 and another assembly component 277 (which may for example be an exchangeable fluid-permeable cartridge housing), in which two distinct atomizing elements 276 and 278 are placed in line and in electrical communication with each other.
  • Exchangeable atomization reservoirs 280 and 282 can slidingly fit over atomization chamber 284 and provide atomization liquid to the individual atomization elements. Flow of the liquid to the atomization elements may be initiated by piercing a liquid tight septum (not shown) in atomization reservoirs 280, 282, for which a suitable piercing tool (not shown) may be movably incorporated into a component of or otherwise provided with assembly 274.
  • the septum may for example be any suitable film or membrane composed of a suitable material such as silicone, rubber, plastic, or metal foil, covering a flow channel inside the reservoir.
  • Reservoirs 280, 282 may be exchangeable and disposable to allow a user to exchange atomization liquids without the need to clean or remove residues from previous liquids used in reservoirs 280, 282. Additionally, reservoirs 280, 282 preferably employ a mechanism for liquid delivery to the atomization elements that permits a user to remove an atomization reservoir without liquid leaking at any reservoir liquid level or state, such as by a spring-loaded valve mechanism (not shown) that is biased to a closed state when 280, 282 are removed from the assembly.
  • FIG. 8 an alternative exchangeable atomizer tank assembly 286, including distinct, preferably exchangeable and disposable atomization reservoirs 288 and 290 having associated within them distinct atomization chambers and atomization elements (not shown), arranged between a battery/controller connector 292 and another assembly component 294.
  • atomization reservoirs 288 and 290 may be assembled adjacent each other in series as depicted, or alternatively, having one or more other components disposed between them (not shown), such as an exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge according to the invention, with or without an associated atomizing element.
  • Reservoirs 288 and 290 are electrically connected in series or in parallel as desired.
  • Electrically resistive elements associated with reservoirs 288 and 290, or interposed between them, may be provided to permit a user to selectively choose the amount of electrical current permitted through each atomization element in each reservoir.
  • Such resistive elements could be separate and exchangeable elements that are placed in between each reservoir in order to permit a user to selectively control the atomization quantities provided from each atomization element.
  • Reservoirs 288 and 290 are preferably in fluid communication with each other, either in series or parallel, to deliver atomized liquid from each reservoir into a breathable fluid stream passing through an inhalation device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of a complete inhalation device 120 incorporating the exchangeable porous cartridge and disposable tanks contemplated by the present disclosure.
  • Inhalation device 120 includes a fluid-permeable cartridge component 122, and a breathable fluid delivering disposable tank 126.
  • the tank 126 contains e-liquid such as a mixture of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin and an atomizing element such as a heating coil, vibrating element, or the like (not shown).
  • the tank 126 connects to a battery unit 136 to power the atomizer.
  • the atomized e-liquid which in this case contains no flavoring or nicotine, travels through the cartridge and out the mouthpiece 132.
  • the flavoring and active ingredients are not exposed directly to the atomizer.
  • a tank containing e-liquid with flavoring and/or active ingredients can be used with or without the additional cartridge.
  • active ingredients such as liquid nicotine are safely confined in the sealed tank.
  • various embodiments of a complete electronic cigarette assembly advantageously incorporating exchangeable porous cartridges according to the invention and/or other aspects of the present invention, will now be described in greater detail.
  • the disclosure presents an electronic cigarette assembly designed to emulate the sensory experience of smoking a tobacco cigarette, while also being equipped with a system for introducing a functional liquid into the fluid stream passing through the assembly.
  • FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of an inhalation system 800 utilizing devices of the present disclosure.
  • the system 800 is a nonlimiting example of how devices of the present invention can interact. Other configurations would be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • a battery pack including a battery pack casing 801, a battery 802, and a connection unit 803 for connecting with an atomizer.
  • the tank portion comprises a connective base 804 and an atomizer 805 containing a coil (not shown) and a wicking material (not shown).
  • the shell 806 of the tank forms a fluid- tight seal with the base 804, or optionally with a gasket (not shown) between it and the base.
  • Distal to the tank 806 is an embodiment of a two-part cartridge housing 807/809 and a cartridge 808 according to the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 shows an atomizer housing 138 connected between a battery/controller housing 136 and cartridge housing cover 146 and contains a single atomizing element 154.
  • multiple atomizing elements may optionally be housed within a single atomizer housing.
  • Other alternative embodiments of an atomizer housing may accept (or consist of) single or multiple exchangeable fluid permeable cartridges.
  • an inhalation device may employ multiple atomization chambers and mechanisms, each adapted for atomization either of an atomizing liquid by itself or of an atomizing liquid and a functional liquid exclusively or simultaneously.
  • the atomization of one or both of these liquid types may occur in distinct and separate atomization chambers, or in a combined atomization chamber.
  • an atomizing liquid and a functional liquid may undergo atomization in one chamber, a plurality of distinct chambers, in separate and distinct chambers simultaneously, in separate and distinct chambers at different times, both together in distinct chambers in addition to a separate chamber having one or both liquids, or both together combined and simultaneously atomized in separate and distinct chambers.
  • Atomizing element 154 is electrically connected to battery 132 by a contact pin 162 associated with atomizer housing 138 and atomizing element 154 contacting controller 134, thus providing a controlled amount of current and voltage to atomizing element 154.
  • current flows from atomizing element 154 through conductive portions of atomizer housing 138 and of battery/controller housing 136 to return to battery 132, completing a circuit.
  • Atomizer housing 138 and neighboring components preferably define at least one atomizing liquid storage chamber, illustrated as storage chamber 140, and at least one atomizing chamber, illustrated as atomizing chamber 142.
  • Liquid storage chamber 140 stores an atomizing liquid, to provide a consistent supply of the liquid to atomizing chamber 142 (at a restrained rate, through aperture 143), where the liquid enters into operative atomizing contact with atomizing element 154.
  • Atomizing chamber 142 is a fluid conduit assembly designed to receive a supply of fluid, deliver it to atomizing element 154 in a reliable fashion, and integrate a certain portion of the atomized liquid into the fluid stream passing through the conduit by way of atomizing chamber 142.
  • the path of breathable fluid flow through atomizer tank assembly 145 passes through the atomization element 154 and atomization chamber 142, where it then is introduced into the flow paths entering the exchangeable cartridge.
  • Liquid storage chamber is preferably constructed so as to prevent or inhibit unintended liquid leakage. It may also be constructed to permit disassembly or alteration to allow a user to refill the atomizing liquid reserve. Alternatively, it may be constructed to prevent disassembly or alteration by a user, and rather be intended to be a disposable device for one-time use. Desirable properties for materials of the chamber include chemical resistance, transparency, and structural strength and durability. Thus, one preferred material is polycarbonate. However, liquid storage chamber 140 may be constructed from any suitable material or materials chosen according to design specific parameters.
  • a liquid storage chamber and an atomizing chamber may alternatively combined into a single conduit element wherein a liquid retaining material (e.g. an absorbing or adsorbing material), such as a fibrous material, stores an atomizing liquid, releasing the atomizing liquid into contact with an atomizing element over a controlled area of the atomizing element for introduction into a breathable fluid stream at a restrained rate. Furthermore in contact with the liquid storage material would be an element for delivery of the stored liquid to a single atomizing mechanism or multiple atomizing mechanisms.
  • Atomizing element 154 may comprise electrically resistive wire, such as platinum, nichrome, or any other suitable metal alloy or material that may emit heat via electrical resistance, electrical induction, or any other comparable method for heat generation using a flow of electrons.
  • atomizing element 154 may be a piezo-resistive nebulizer, pneumatic nebulizer, thin-film nebulizer, or any other mechanism whereby a said atomizing liquid and/or functional fluid may be aerosolized, nebulized, atomized, or otherwise introduced into a fluid air stream passing through the conduit channels of an inhalation device of the present invention.
  • atomizing mechanisms may be included within an atomizing chamber or elsewhere within the device.
  • the atomizing mechanism interacts with the atomizing liquid, and the accompanying structures that cooperate with the atomizing mechanism.
  • the atomizing mechanism comprises an atomizing element such as a hot wire coil
  • a cotton or fiberglass wick may be associated with the coil in order to draw atomizing liquid into the coil for atomization via capillary action.
  • a rolled sheet of fiberglass or similar material may be packed into the chamber to assist in wicking atomizing liquid to the coil.
  • a pool of atomizing liquid is associated with the nebulizer in order to supply the liquid to it.
  • the nebulizer may not be in direct contact with the atomizing liquid, but may act upon the liquid by way of a pulse wave carrier fluid or media, which then interacts with a thin flexible film which then transfers the pulse wave energy to the atomizing liquid and in turn nebulizes the liquid.
  • a pulse wave carrier fluid or media which then interacts with a thin flexible film which then transfers the pulse wave energy to the atomizing liquid and in turn nebulizes the liquid.
  • atomizer housing 138 may be configured to connect in line with exchangeable porous cartridge 144 containing a functional liquid.
  • the atomizer housing 138 mates with cartridge housing cover 146 for receiving the cartridge, in which the cartridge is disposed in line with the fluid flow channel of the device, so as to expose the atomized fluid to the cartridge before the atomized fluid reaches a user.
  • a cartridge in housing cover 146 is retained in an easily accessible slot for toolless removal and replacement.
  • a connecting feature for connecting cartridge housing cover 146 to atomizer housing 138 may be a threaded connection as shown, a tight fitting sliding connection, lined with one or more O-rings, permitting the housings to be pushed together and pulled apart by a user, or any other suitable connection.
  • the housing cover would act to cover and fix into place the exchangeable porous cartridge as well as define a space for attachment of a mouthpiece, if a mouthpiece is not integrated into the housing or housing cover.
  • multiple cartridge pods each pod comprising a packing material containing an absorbed or adsorbed functional liquid substantially as described with respect to the foregoing embodiments, may be incorporated into a single device. This may be done in many different ways, including, for example, by stacking multiple cartridges according to the foregoing embodiments, or by providing a single cartridge that houses multiple pods in a single casing.
  • FIGS. 12-15 illustrate additional aspects and embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein.
  • FIG. 12 is a transverse plan view of an inhalation device attachment 10.
  • Attachment 10 may substitute for a mouthpiece of an existing fluid delivery device, and thus includes a coupling adaptor 12 for attaching to the fluid delivery device as would an existing mouthpiece.
  • FIG. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the attachment shown in FIG. 12.
  • a cartridge housing 14 and a coupling adaptor 12 fit together to retain and support between them an exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge 16, capable of containing a functional liquid disposed to be readily picked up and carried in a breathable fluid stream passing there through.
  • the proximal end of housing 14 may for example be threaded onto coupling adaptor 12, or attached thereto in any other suitable manner.
  • Housing 14 and adaptor 12 cooperate to provide a defined slot for cartridge 16 to rest in, to prevent cartridge 16 from easily sliding or falling out of housing 14 when being exchanged by a user. Additionally, the housing slot does not severely obstruct access to cartridge 16, so as to make it relatively easy for a user to exchange cartridge 16 by grasping it with one's fingers.
  • FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the attachment shown in FIG. 12.
  • coupling adaptor 12 includes an open channel 18 spanning its internal length, which may or may not have a similar inner diameter to that of a mouthpiece for which attachment 10 substitutes, and housing 14 also includes a channel for receiving a mouthpiece 15.
  • the housing cover includes a distal end wall with a channel 19 passing through it designed to accept mouthpiece 15.
  • the housing cover may comprise an integrated mouthpiece (not shown).
  • mouthpiece 15 has the same dimensions as coupling adaptor 12.
  • the dimension of the coupler and the dimension of the channel could vary and do not necessarily need to be compatible in terms of mouthpiece attachment male and female fittings.
  • Attachment 10 may be constructed with various fluid delivery device coupling adaptors to permit use of attachment 10 with said devices at a connection point where a mouthpiece of an existing type would normally fit, although coupling adaptor 12 may alternatively comprise a different type of connector
  • the proximal end of the slot for cartridge 16 includes a structural spacer feature, illustrated in FIG. 13 as a stepped profile 20 of coupling adaptor 12.
  • the spacer feature acts to lift the exchangeable cartridge off of the proximal base of the housing slot where a fluid enters from an opening, illustrated as the distal end of channel 18, having a cross-sectional area smaller than the area of an volume 22 defined by the riser of the stepped profile of coupling adaptor 12.
  • the spacer feature functions to increase the cross-sectional area where a breathable fluid stream may enter cartridge 16.
  • Cartridge 16 may comprise a casing 24, fluid permeable ends 26 and 28, and a fluid permeable packing 30, which may for example be a single porous body or a mass of fibers, coarse grains, or particles of material including spaces there between, even if the individual fibers, grains, or particles are themselves non-porous.
  • Casing 24 is preferably a tube-like structure having a hollow channel spanning its length and open ends. At the ends of casing 24, fluid permeable ends 26 and 28 are connected or attached to allow the passage of a fluid through the casing channel and packing 30, while providing containment of packing 30 inside casing 24.
  • Fluid permeable ends 26 and 28 may be, but are not limited to, mesh screens or perforated sheets having arrayed apertures 32, as illustrated in FIG. 15.
  • FIG. 15 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the attachment shown in FIG. 12.
  • ends 26 and 28 may be constructed from the same piece of material as the casing 24, but with fluid permeable properties. Ends 26 and 28 may be constructed to permit sealing with a thin film or the like (not shown) for storage and packaging of cartridge 16.
  • This film may for example be metal foil, plastic, or other comparable materials that could be fixed to ends 26 and 28 via an adhesive, heat fused wax, or other comparable method.
  • Packing 30 may be composed of any suitable material that is fluid permeable and does not pose an inhalation health risk. Suitable materials for packing 30 include cotton, foam, stacked thread, porous stone, synthetic porous media, or any other material which is capable of adsorbing or absorbing the desired chemical species in liquid phase. Packing 30 is configured to accept a functional liquid, while still maintaining fluid permeable properties. In particular, packing 30 should be capable of holding a reasonable quantity of the functional liquid before becoming saturated, to avoid the need for frequent replacement of cartridge 16.
  • the surface chemistry of the packing material favors the adsorption of the functional liquid in order to improve saturation and functional liquid load.
  • a porous media having a surface chemistry that is hydrophilic may better saturate with hydrophilic functional liquids.
  • a sintered porous plastic has proven to be a particularly effective porous medium, due to its tendency to force an air flow to spread generally evenly across its entire cross-sectional area, thereby exposing a greater volume of air to the functional liquid. This widening/dispersion of the air stream is believed to be largely due to a significant flow resistance produced by the material, as evidenced by a noticeable pressure drop across the length of cartridge 16 when packed and saturated. Other media may exhibit similar flow properties with similar effects.
  • a cartridge within the scope of the invention may consist of only an open ended casing and a fluid permeable packing material residing inside the casing, such as a porous body, a quantity of particulate material, or a mass of fibers.
  • the embodiment may contain the packing partially or completely saturated with a said functional fluid and the cartridge as a whole may be exchangeable in the same fashion as that of the disclosed embodiment consisting of casing 24, packing 30, and fluid permeable ends 26, 28.
  • the cartridge may consist solely of a packing material, which may not necessarily have an outer casing or fluid permeable ends.
  • the porous material may be partially or completely saturated with a functional fluid and may be exchangeable in the same fashion as that of the disclosed embodiment having casing 24 and fluid permeable ends 26, 28.
  • Individual parts of attachments or fluid delivery devices according to the invention may be constructed out of any suitable material that permits ease of use thereof, durability, safety, and ease of manufacturing.
  • components are generally composed of a relatively hard, durable, and non-corrosive material, such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass, graphite, ceramics, silicon carbide, certain plastics or other suitable materials.
  • Plastics used for components of an inhalation device according to the invention should generally be highly chemically resistant, as some functional fluids, such as certain alcohols, have been shown to cause degradation of certain existing plastic mouthpieces and polycarbonate parts.
  • Suitable plastics may include silicones, thermoplastic elastomers/TPEs, Santoprene®,
  • polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE
  • polyaryletherketone family plastics such as PEEK (polyether ether ketone), PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride), Nylon®, Teflon®, HDPE (high density polyethylene), LDPE (low density polyethylene), Acetal, ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), Halar®, Fluorosint®,
  • materials used do not pose a significant health risk to users under normal use conditions, and should be selected to be compatible with the functional fluids used.
  • some functional fluids suitable for use according to the invention including alcohols and terpenes, are corrosive to certain materials that are otherwise desirable for use in the devices of the invention.
  • Polycarbonate is an example of a clear, hard plastic that may be advantageously used for device components, so long as it is not exposed to certain functional fluids that may damage it.
  • Coupling adaptor 12 may be coated in a protective coating such as a paint, powder coating, film coating, electroplated coating, or any other suitable coating compatible with the material of construction.
  • variable flow attachment 34 is provided for coupling with breathable fluid delivery devices such as electronic cigarettes.
  • FIG. 16 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an attachment, showing a closed valve.
  • FIG. 17 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the attachment shown in FIG. 16, showing the valve in a partially open position.
  • FIG. 18 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the attachment shown in FIG. 16, showing the valve in a fully open position.
  • Attachment 34 comprises a coupling adaptor 36 for attachment to the fluid delivery device (not shown), a variable valve 47 comprising a valve needle 49 cooperating with a valve seat 51 to throttle the portion of fluid passing through or around an exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge 38, a cartridge housing 40 for retaining and supporting cartridge 38, and a housing cover 42 comprising mating sections 44 and 46 for locking a fluid permeable cartridge into housing 40, having also a channel 48 for receiving a mouthpiece 50.
  • Cartridge housing 40 is illustrated as integrally incorporating valve seat 51.
  • Attachment 34 may be constructed with various fluid delivery device coupling adaptors to permit use of attachment 34 with said devices at a connection point where a mouthpiece of existing such devices would normally be fitted, although not exclusively limited to such existing connection types.
  • coupling adaptor includes the same type of connection as mouthpiece 50.
  • coupling adaptor 36 includes an open channel 52 spanning its internal length. The inner diameter of channel 52 is optionally but preferably similar to that of a mouthpiece for which the herein described auxiliary conduit assembly is substituted.
  • the coupling adaptor may include attachment to an assembly for receiving multiple breathable fluid streams.
  • FIG. 19 is a transverse plan view of the attachment shown in FIG. 16.
  • FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the attachment shown in FIG. 16.
  • Attachment 34 may take on various embodiments.
  • the valve system is able to partition a fluid flow either through or around cartridge 38, allowing a user to select what portion of the total fluid flow is exposed to the functional fluid and what portion is not, to vary the intensity of the flavor or other functional effect in the inhaled stream.
  • a maximum intensity is delivered by fully seating valve needle 49 into valve seat 51 to close a bypass channel 54
  • a minimum intensity is delivered by withdrawing valve needle 49 to the farthest extent permitted by the device construction to provide the freest access to bypass channel 54.
  • the illustrated valve is adjusted by twisting a threaded connection between proximal housing cover section 44 and a valve housing 56.
  • Such a threaded connection is a convenient way to provide fine adjustment control, but other valve adjustment mechanisms, including relatively sliding components, may be alternatively provided.
  • a user could be used to produce a "chaser" effect, if the functional liquid has an unpleasant taste, by a user quickly following a breath containing the functional fluid with a breath containing the base breathable fluid only, which may contain an agent that desirably masks or alters the flavor of the functional fluid.
  • This throttling of fluid flow between the two flow paths would preferably be achieved by a valve system between the fluid entering through the open ended channel in the said fluid delivery device coupling adaptor and a housing associated with the coupling adaptor that is proximal to the valve.
  • a plurality of cartridges may be arranged in a device, either in parallel or in series, being disposed in one or more fluid flow pathways leading to one or more mouthpieces.
  • Valve systems of such a device may include one or more valves similar to that of the illustrated embodiment, such as one valve for each cartridge, for example.
  • the valve or valves may simply partition the inhaled fluid stream through or around a single one of the cartridges, or may variably distribute the stream between or among two or more of the cartridges, for variable selection of flavors, functions, or combinations thereof.
  • one or more cartridges as described and illustrated herein, optionally together with an electrically powered atomizer tank assembly may be advantageously connected to each of a plurality of outlet lines of an otherwise conventional hookah (not shown).
  • a breathable stream of air and smoke generated by the hookah may be passed through the cartridge, optionally together with atomized liquid from an atomizer tank assembly connected in line with the hookah, or in parallel with the hookah, such as via a lateral port of the hookah outlet line or via an additional parallel inlet to the cartridge.
  • valve needle 49 including an open ended channel 58 spanning its interior length.
  • valve seat 51 Interacting with valve needle 49 is valve seat 51, which is illustrated as a tube into and out of which valve needle 49 can be drawn.
  • valve needle 49 is positioned adjacent coupling adaptor 36 and positioned upstream of valve seat 51, while valve seat 51 is integral to cartridge housing 40. This arrangement could also be reversed, generally as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21.
  • FIG. 21 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another attachment according to the invention.
  • Attachment 34' including a valve needle 67, is associated with a cartridge housing 69 and configured to insert in the proximal direction into a valve seat 71 associated with a coupling adaptor, or in the illustrated case, integrally formed in a coupling adaptor.
  • the upstream/proximal position of valve needle 49 is believed to be slightly preferable for multiple reasons. For instance, baffling the bypass flow pathway to double back on itself, as illustrated by the arrows provides additional flow resistance and thus a finer adjustment of the bypass flow for a given amount of twist of the threaded valve assembly.
  • the doubled back bypass flow arrangement makes the parts easier to machine and injection mold, as well as improving the ease of handling of the fluid permeable cartridges, since they are larger and easier to manipulate with one's fingers.
  • a long cartridge tube also makes it easy to load and unload the cartridge.
  • An exchangeable cartridge porous packing containing a functional fluid, impedes the flow of fluid through it to some extent.
  • This flow impedance may be significant without departing from the scope of the invention, but it should not completely block the flow of fluid through the packing when a pressure differential is applied across its length.
  • the pressure differential considered for intended function would correspond to a vacuum which could be comfortably provided by the intended user drawing in a breath through the device in normal atmospheric conditions.
  • the pressure differential measurement may be a value dependent upon other parameters and it is to be understood that various pressure differentials could be considered for design of the flow impedance of the packing to permit intended function of the variable valve system.
  • valve seat 51 is docked in a collar portion of section 44, the collar portion including bypass channel inlet apertures 64 for permitting the free flow of fluid diverted around cartridge 38.
  • variable valve 47 facilitates the partitioning of fluid flow between the two flow paths in relation to the flow impedance of the cartridge packing and the cross-sectional area of a gap 61 that is present between valve needle 49 and valve seat 51 in partially open and fully open valve positions, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 & 18.
  • a structural relationship is provided to allow a user to draw the valve seat away from or onto the valve needle. As illustrated in FIG.
  • this is embodied as a movable connection between proximal cartridge housing cover section 44 and valve housing 56, which may include a threaded connection between valve housing 56 and a proximal threaded end 60 of section 44.
  • the gap between the section 44 and valve housing 56 is sealed from fluid flow such as air leaks, by an O-ring or analogous suitable sealing structure mounted in a gasket seat 62 of proximal cartridge housing cover section 44.
  • the O-ring or substituted structure would consist of a resilient material or any other suitable material that would be chemically compatible with the chemicals being passed through the channel between the needle valve, housing, and sleeve.
  • Cartridge housing 40 cooperates with the interior of housing cover 42 to define bypass channel 54 to permit the flow of fluid around cartridge 38 to mouthpiece 50. More specifically, the cartridge housing has an exterior diameter less than that of the interior diameter of the housing cover. Mixing of the bypass fluid stream with the fluid stream that passes through cartridge 38 occurs in a widened channel area 66 in fluid connection with the distal end of cartridge 38 and with bypass channel 54 via a reentry passage 68 formed in a portion of distal cartridge housing cover section 46.
  • an attachment 34" that is functionally similar to attachment 34 is illustrated, including an improved valve adjustment feature.
  • FIG. 22 is a transverse plan view of another attachment according to the invention.
  • Attachment 34" includes a cartridge 70 including an integral casing 71 with an integrally attached, tubular valve seat 72, having a smaller bore diameter, extending proximally therefrom.
  • cartridge casing 71 includes an oblique tapered section 74 transitioning between its wider and narrower channels, so that essentially no portion of the proximal face of a circular cylindrical packing 73 inserted contained therein is blocked to flow of the breathable fluid in the distal direction.
  • FIG. 23 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the attachment shown in FIG. 22.
  • FIG. 24 is a distal end view of an alternative cartridge housing and an alternative cartridge housing cover section of the attachment shown in FIG. 22.
  • a distal cartridge casing cover section 76 and a proximal cartridge casing cover section 78 cooperate to enclose and retain cartridge casing 71, section 76 being slidingly inserted into section 78.
  • the sliding connection between sections 76 and 78 is preferably sealed by O-rings 79, depicted in FIG. 23 as mounted in annular O-ring seat channels formed in the exterior of the inserted portion of section 76.
  • O-rings 79 depicted in FIG. 23 as mounted in annular O-ring seat channels formed in the exterior of the inserted portion of section 76.
  • Section 76 includes a distal channel 82 for carrying breathable fluid flow exiting from a cartridge 70 and for receiving a mouthpiece 84 inserted into its distal end.
  • Section 78 is threaded into a coupling adaptor 86 which also includes an integral valve needle 88 having a channel 89 extending there through for permitting breathable fluid to pass from a delivery apparatus connected to coupling adaptor 86 into the interior of valve seat 72.
  • the connection between section 78 and coupling adaptor 86 is sealed by an O-ring 91.
  • FIG. 25 is a transverse view of an alternative coupling adaptor component of the attachment shown in FIG. 22, including an integral valve needle.
  • FIG. 26 is a proximal end view of a distal cartridge housing cover section of the attachment shown in FIG. 22.
  • FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional proximal perspective view of the distal cartridge housing cover section shown in FIG. 26.
  • a variable valve 90 comprising valve seat 72 and valve needle 88 serves to variably proportion the flow of a breathable fluid stream entering through coupling adaptor 86 between a main channel 92 extending through a cartridge in cartridge housing 70 and a bypass channel 94 passing around cartridge 70.
  • breathable fluid is permitted to pass through variable valve 90 into bypass channel 94 only in a proportion permitted by a clearance (if any) between valve seat 72 and valve needle 88 is opened by withdrawing valve seat 72 from valve needle 88.
  • Valve 90 is depicted in FIG. 23 in a fully closed position with no clearance between valve needle 88 and valve seat 72, and thus all of the breathable fluid stream is constrained to pass through a cartridge (not shown) retained in cartridge housing 70.
  • valve 90 When valve 90 is opened, breathable fluid is permitted to pass through a clearance between valve needle 88 and valve set 72, through bypass channel inlet apertures 97 formed in collar 80 (shown in FIGS. 23 & 24) into bypass channel 94, and through a reentry passage 99 formed in distal cartridge housing cover section 76 (shown in FIGS. 26 & 27) to reenter main flow channel 92.
  • Valve 90 is opened by a user unscrewing proximal cartridge casing cover section 78 from coupling adaptor 86 section 78 with a twisting motion facilitated by a rotatable ring portion 96 of section 78, having a grip enhancing textured outer surface 98 with an exterior diameter larger than that of the adjacent exterior surfaces of distal cartridge casing cover section 76 and coupling adaptor 86.
  • FIGS. 28-30 cartridge 70 of attachment 34", and an alternative cartridge 70', are illustrated in detail.
  • FIG. 28 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an integrated cartridge and valve seat of the attachment shown in FIG. 22.
  • cartridge 70 is shown to consist only of casing 71 and packing 73.
  • an alternative cartridge 70' as depicted in FIGS. 29 & 30, may include a distal fluid permeable end cover and/or sealant film 100, and optionally a proximal sealant film 102.
  • FIG. 29 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an alternative integrated cartridge and valve seat for use in the attachment shown in FIG. 22.
  • FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the integrated cartridge and valve seat depicted in FIG. 29.
  • Sealant film would serve the purpose of sealing functional liquid inside cartridge 70' for shipping, handling, and/or storage, and any sealant film would be removed prior to use of cartridge 70' in attachment 34".
  • an alternative coupling adaptor and valve assembly 104 for use in attachments similar to attachments 34, 34', and 34" is depicted as including a "clicking" mechanism, providing sensory feedback to a user to facilitate returning the valve assembly to a variable valve position that the user finds to his or her liking.
  • FIG. 31 is a distal end view of an alternative valve needle and coupling adaptor component accommodating a clicker element.
  • FIG. 32 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the alternative valve needle and coupling adaptor component accommodating a clicker element shown in FIG. 31.
  • FIG. 33 is a distal perspective view of the alternative valve needle and coupling adaptor component accommodating a clicker element shown in FIG. 31.
  • FIG. 34 is an exploded proximal perspective view of a valve assembly including the alternative valve needle and coupling adaptor component accommodating a clicker element shown in FIG. 31.
  • valve assembly 104 includes a clicker element 106 accommodated between an alternative valve needle component/coupling adaptor 86' and an alternative proximal cartridge casing cover section 78' by features added thereto with respect to the illustrated coupling adaptor 86 and section 78 described and illustrated above.
  • clicker element 106 is retained in and constrained to rotate with valve needle component 86' by a mating connection between posts 108 of valve needle component 86' and holes 110 in a proximal base of clicker element 106, a central hole 112 in clicker element 106 at the same time accommodating valve needle 88 extending there through.
  • Clicker element 106 further includes flexible arms 114 having radial clicking protrusions 116 at their distal ends.
  • clicking protrusions 116 are aligned with and inserted into longitudinal slots 118 formed in the interior of section 78'.
  • exchangeable porous cartridges as described above may be advantageously connected, attached, or incorporated into a wide range of inhalation devices, including medical or therapeutic devices as well as leisure/recreational devices, and including vapor-based inhalation devices but also smoke-based inhalation devices such as hookahs.
  • FIG. 9 gives a schematic illustration of a complete inhalation device 120 incorporating the exchangeable porous cartridge and variable valve / throttled flow aspects of the invention.
  • Inhalation device 120 includes a fluid-permeable cartridge component 122, which may either be a cartridge with an integral valve seat or needle, or a cartridge housing with an integral valve seat or needle containing a cartridge therein, as illustrated and described in the foregoing embodiments, or some other equivalent structure, a distal cartridge housing or casing cover section 124, and a breathable fluid delivering base section 126 of the device having a proximal cartridge housing cover section 128 and a valve needle or seat (not shown) included therein to mate with its seat or needle counterpart in the cartridge or cartridge housing.
  • Base section 126 thus combines fluid delivery components such as a propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin tank (not shown) and a heating coil, vibrating element, or other atomizing element (not shown) with variable valve and cartridge retaining components or elements as described above, in a single body.
  • Base section 126 may simply be the product of connecting a coupling adaptor such as coupling adaptor 86, needle valve component/alternative coupling adaptor 86', or an equivalent component or combination of components into a body including breathable fluid delivery components.
  • base section 126 may include such valve and cartridge retaining components permanently integrated with part or the entirety of the fluid delivery portion of the device.
  • FIGS. 35-38 Illustrated in FIGS. 35-38 is one example of a complete inhalation device incorporating a cartridge according to the invention.
  • FIG. 35 is a transverse view of another embodiment of a complete inhalation device.
  • FIG. 36 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the inhalation device shown in FIG. 35.
  • FIGS. 39-42 and 35 A preferred embodiment of a complete inhalation device further incorporating an adjustable, snap-locking throttle valve is illustrated in FIGS. 39-42 and 35.
  • FIGS. 48, 50, and 51 illustrate in greater detail the electrical and atomizer tank components common to throttled and unthrottled embodiments of a complete device according to the invention.
  • an illustrative electronic cigarette device 130 according to the invention includes an electrical control circuit comprising a battery 132, an electronic controller 134, a battery/controller housing 136, and suitable connecting wires or other conductive elements (such as portions of a housing structure of the device or its individual components) that complete a circuit to permit current to flow through powered device components.
  • FIG. 37 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the inhalation device shown in FIG. 35, illustrating anatomizer tank assembly thereof.
  • FIG. 38 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the inhalation device 130 shown in FIG. 35, illustrating the relationship between a cartridge component and an atomizer tank assembly thereof.
  • the device 130 includes an atomizer housing 138 defining an atomizing liquid storage chamber 140, and an atomizing chamber 142 having an aperture 143, which collectively define an atomizer tank assembly 145, an exchangeable fluid permeable and porous cartridge 144, a cartridge housing cover 146, and a cartridge housing 148 for locking cartridge 144 into cartridge housing cover 146.
  • Cartridge housing cover 146 also includes a distal channel 150 for receiving a mouthpiece 152, although a suitable cartridge housing cover may
  • Cartridge 144 may advantageously take the form of any of the embodiments of an exchangeable porous cartridge described and illustrated above with reference to FIGS. 12-34.
  • Battery 132 is preferably rechargeable and stores enough energy to power device 130 for many atomization cycles, avoiding the need to recharge with a frequency that a typical user would find inconvenient.
  • Battery/controller housing 136 is preferably of a size to be
  • Electrical controller 134 controls the current and voltage delivered to an atomizing element 154 associated with atomizing chamber 142.
  • Voltage and current delivered may either be preset or user-defined, for example by user input entered via a display/control panel 156, which may include a touch sensor and/or one or more buttons.
  • voltage and current may be supplied to more than one atomizing mechanism individually or simultaneously, such as when more than one atomizer tank analogous to an atomizer tank 158 (which comprises atomizer housing 138, atomizing chamber 145, and atomizing element 154) is included in a single device, or when the device includes an additional atomizing element associated with cartridge 144.
  • Voltage and current delivered may be the same or different for different atomizing mechanisms.
  • an inhalation device may include only one atomizing element associated with any suitable exchangeable, fluid permeable cartridge as described herein.
  • atomizing liquid and functional liquid could be combined and atomized together from a single cotton wick surrounding an atomizing element.
  • Manual actuator 160 may comprise any type of mechanical switch, such as a push button as shown, or a slider, twist knob or collar; or an electro-mechanical switch, such as a touch screen or other touch sensor which may for example be comprised in display/control panel 156.
  • current and voltage actuation may be initiated automatically in response to a user drawing breath through the device, such as by a sensor (not shown) in line with fluid flow through the device detecting a fluid velocity, volumetric or mass flow rate, or pressure drop at or above a preset threshold, in response to which a control component causes the current and voltage to be delivered.
  • the senor actuates the electrical current flow under a pressure drop that may be comfortably generated by a user drawing breath through the device.
  • the electrical control circuit of the device may control an electronic user display, preferably mounted in the housing.
  • the electronic display is configured to display certain numerical values or other data relevant to the device settings, such as voltage, current, temperature of particular elements (such as atomizing elements for atomization liquids or functional liquids), usage data (such as times, dates, and durations of usage, stored settings, and power consumption history), battery charge levels, warnings, or other data of potential interest to a user.
  • control circuit includes a memory storage element capable of recording and storing usage data relevant to the user, as well as any other information delivered to the device by means of electrical communication by either a direct wire connection or a wireless communication mechanism.
  • This data may include, for example, cumulative consumption of the atomization liquid or functional component over a given time period; time period of fluid draw by the user; time periods between uses; temperature profiles of one or more components; power consumption history; stored preferences or settings; and alternate modes of use, such as previous combinations of components connected in the device assembly, and in what order they were connected, and/or particular encoded information identifying attributes of a component, such as its part or serial number, a flavor or substance that it contains or may contain, for example.
  • data stored may be used by processing units to control the mechanisms of the present invention.
  • processing units may be used by processing units to control the mechanisms of the present invention.
  • data are disclosed by way of example and should not be considered to limit the scope of information that may be stored in the memory storage element within the scope of the invention.
  • electronic controller 134 includes one or more processing elements or processors.
  • the processors could be used to determine what is displayed on display/control panel 156 and/or to actuate automatically atomizing element 154 or elements in accordance with data and logic processed by the processors.
  • processors could be used to determine what is displayed on display/control panel 156 and/or to actuate automatically atomizing element 154 or elements in accordance with data and logic processed by the processors.
  • processors could be used to determine what is displayed on display/control panel 156 and/or to actuate automatically atomizing element 154 or elements in accordance with data and logic processed by the processors.
  • actuation of atomizing element 154 may occur automatically in response to the input of a passcode matching a valid passcode stored in a memory of controller 134.
  • a correct passcode entry may only "unlock" the atomization function of the device, without automatically initiating atomization, but instead permitting a user to actuate atomization manually. For instance, after the passcode is successfully validated, a user may press a simple button or switch to initiate atomization.
  • the atomization element may respond to a single manual actuation following passcode validation, a predetermined plural number of manual actuations, for a predetermined amount of time elapsed after passcode validation, or until the processor receives an affirmative user command to "lock" the device again, such as by re-entry of a passcode to toggle back to a locked state, or by a simple manual switch or button.
  • the password may be input by a user directly into display/control panel 156 or communicated to controller 134 from a separate input device or token, such as a user's personal smartphone, magnetic key card, bar code image, via a Wi-Fi, infrared, Bluetooth®, RFID, or optical connection, for example.
  • controller 134 may also include or be operatively linked to a wireless communication element (not shown) capable of transmitting to another wireless communication device or receive information from said wireless communication device.
  • a wireless communication element capable of transmitting to another wireless communication device or receive information from said wireless communication device.
  • many wireless network types are contemplated in this disclosure and may include, but are not necessarily limited to WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), or any other suitable wireless network and communication types.
  • wireless network connectivity enables inhalation devices according to the invention to be controlled by a personal electronic device such as a smartphone, for purposes of passcode-enabled actuation or locking/unlocking of one ormore functions of the inhalation device (obviating the need for a multi-key user interface on the inhalation device itself), as well as facilitating monitoring/tracking, storage, and analysis of usage data on the personal electronic device.
  • a personal electronic device such as a smartphone
  • the circuit would be designed so as to be able to receive and transmit to battery 132 an electrical current from a charging lead, as well as including electrical communication elements for transmission of data between device 130 and external computation and /or data storage devices.
  • a connection port (not shown) at the proximal end of a battery/controller housing can be mated with other elements extending proximally therefrom. When included, such a connection port may also permit electrical communication from the circuitry to one or more atomizing elements.
  • electrical controller 134 may be designed to regulate battery charge rate with respect to voltage and current and could prevent battery overcharge. Furthermore, preferably the electrical control element would prevent reverse polarity damage to the circuit elements or battery, by incorporating appropriately configured elements such as diodes, PNP Transistors, or a P-channel FET.
  • atomizer housing 138 is connected between battery/controller housing 136 and cartridge housing cover 146 and contains a single atomizing element 154.
  • multiple atomizing elements may optionally be housed within a single atomizer housing.
  • Other alternative embodiments of an atomizer housing may accept (or consist of) single or multiple exchangeable fluid permeable cartridges.
  • an inhalation device may employ multiple atomization chambers and mechanisms, each adapted for atomization either of an atomizing liquid by itself or of an atomizing liquid and a functional liquid exclusively or simultaneously.
  • the atomization of one or both of these liquid types may occur in distinct and separate atomization chambers, or in a combined atomization chamber.
  • an atomizing liquid and a functional liquid may undergo atomization in one chamber, a plurality of distinct chambers, in separate and distinct chambers simultaneously, in separate and distinct chambers at different times, both together in distinct chambers in addition to a separate chamber having one or both liquids, or both together combined and simultaneously atomized in separate and distinct chambers.
  • an exchangeable cartridge is provided in one of the illustrated complete devices of the invention
  • at atomizing element may be incorporated into the exchangeable cartridge within the scope of the invention, with the benefit of promoting more complete or faster atomization of the functional liquid to be carried in the breathable fluid stream than may be achieved by simply passing the fluid stream through the cartridge.
  • an atomizer cartridge 161 as illustrated schematically in FIG. 53, or an atomizer cartridge 163, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 54, may in general be used in place of any other exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge disclosed herein.
  • Atomizer cartridge 161 includes a casing 165 holding a packing material 167 and supporting an atomizing element 169 in contact therewith, atomizing element 169 including electrical leads 171 and 173 for completing a circuit connecting atomizing element 169 to a battery generally through the interior of the inhalation device via lead 171 and along the conductive walls of one or more housing components via lead 173.
  • Atomizer cartridge 163 includes similar elements to those of cartridge 161, its casing 165' further including a functional liquid reservoir chamber 175 in fluid communication with a packing material 167' via an aperture 180 for replenishing the functional fluid contained in packing material 167' at a restrained rate, an aspect of certain fluid permeable cartridges according to the invention that will be described in more detail below, with reference to FIGS. 46 & 47.
  • Atomizing element 154 is electrically connected to battery 132 by a contact pin 162 associated with atomizer housing 138 and atomizing element 154 contacting controller 134, thus providing a controlled amount of current and voltage to atomizing element 154. In turn, current flows from atomizing element 154 through conductive portions of atomizer housing 138 and of battery/controller housing 136 to return to battery 132, completing a circuit.
  • Atomizer housing 138 and neighboring components preferably define at least one atomizing liquid storage chamber, illustrated as storage chamber 140, and at least one atomizing chamber, illustrated as atomizing chamber 142.
  • Liquid storage chamber 140 stores an atomizing liquid, to provide a consistent supply of the liquid to atomizing chamber 142 (at a restrained rate, through aperture 143), where the liquid enters into operative atomizing contact with atomizing element 154.
  • Atomizing chamber 142 is a fluid conduit assembly designed to receive a supply of fluid, deliver it to atomizing element 154 in a reliable fashion, and integrate a certain portion of the atomized liquid into the fluid stream passing through the conduit by way of atomizing chamber 142.
  • the path of breathable fluid flow through atomizer tank assembly 145 passes through the atomization element 154 and atomization chamber 142, where it then is introduced into the flow paths entering the exchangeable cartridge and the diversion path, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 37.
  • Liquid storage chamber is preferably constructed so as to prevent or inhibit unintended liquid leakage, but also to permit disassembly or alteration to allow a user to refill the atomizing liquid reserve. Desirable properties for materials of the chamber include chemical resistance, transparency, and structural strength and durability. Thus, one preferred material is
  • liquid storage chamber 140 may be constructed from any suitable material or materials chosen according to design specific parameters.
  • a liquid storage chamber and an atomizing chamber may alternatively combined into a single conduit element wherein a liquid retaining material (e.g. an absorbing or adsorbing material), such as a fibrous material, stores an atomizing liquid, releasing the atomizing liquid into contact with an atomizing element over a controlled area of the atomizing element for introduction into a breathable fluid stream at a restrained rate.
  • a liquid retaining material e.g. an absorbing or adsorbing material
  • a fibrous material e.g. an absorbing or adsorbing material
  • Atomizing element 154 may comprise electrically resistive wire, such as platinum, nichrome, or any other suitable metal alloy or material that may emit heat via electrical resistance, electrical induction, or any other comparable method for heat generation using a flow of electrons.
  • atomizing element 154 may be a piezo-resistive nebulizer, pneumatic nebulizer, thin-film nebulizer, or any other mechanism whereby a said atomizing liquid and/or functional fluid may be aerosolized, nebulized, atomized, or otherwise introduced into a fluid air stream passing through the conduit channels of an inhalation device of the present invention.
  • One or more of such atomizing mechanisms may be included within an atomizing chamber or elsewhere within the device.
  • the atomizing mechanism interacts with the atomizing liquid, and the accompanying structures that cooperate with the atomizing mechanism.
  • the atomizing mechanism comprises an atomizing element such as a hot wire coil
  • a cotton or fiberglass wick may be associated with the coil in order to draw atomizing liquid into the coil for atomization via capillary action.
  • a rolled sheet of fiberglass or similar material may be packed into the chamber to assist in wicking atomizing liquid to the coil.
  • a pool of atomizing liquid is associated with the nebulizer in order to supply the liquid to it.
  • the nebulizer may not be in direct contact with the atomizing liquid, but may act upon the liquid by way of a pulse wave carrier fluid or media, which then interacts with a thin flexible film which then transfers the pulse wave energy to the atomizing liquid and in turn nebulizes the liquid.
  • a pulse wave carrier fluid or media which then interacts with a thin flexible film which then transfers the pulse wave energy to the atomizing liquid and in turn nebulizes the liquid.
  • atomizer housing 138 is configured to connect in line with
  • the atomizer housing 138 preferably mates with cartridge housing cover 146 for receiving the cartridge, in which the cartridge is disposed in line with the fluid flow channel of the device, so as to expose the atomized fluid to the cartridge before the atomized fluid reaches a user.
  • a cartridge in housing cover 146 is retained in an easily accessible slot for toolless removal and replacement.
  • a connecting feature for connecting cartridge housing cover 146 to atomizer housing 138 may be a threaded connection as shown, a tight fitting sliding connection, lined with one or more O-rings, permitting the housings to be pushed together and pulled apart by a user, or any other suitable connection.
  • the housing cover would act to cover and fix into place the exchangeable porous cartridge as well as define a space for attachment of a mouthpiece, if a mouthpiece is not integrated into the housing or housing cover.
  • each pod comprising a packing material containing an absorbed or adsorbed functional liquid substantially as described with respect to the foregoing embodiments, may be incorporated into a single device.
  • FIG. 52 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of an inhalation device incorporating stacked fluid-permeable pods in an exchangeable cartridge according to another aspect of the invention.
  • the material may be incorporated in many different ways, including, for example, by stacking multiple cartridges according to the foregoing embodiments, or by providing a single cartridge that houses multiple pods in a single casing.
  • a cartridge 164 comprises a casing 166 housing a pod 168 and a pod 170, each pod preferable comprising a porous, fluid permeable packing material containing an absorbed or adsorbed functional liquid.
  • Pods 168 and 170 are hatched differently in FIG.
  • pods 168 and 170 are shown as stacked in line with the direction of fluid flow, two or more pods may alternatively be arranged in parallel, one benefit of a parallel arrangement being a lesser tendency of cross-contamination of functional liquids between the pods, particularly if the multiple pods are separated by a longitudinal barrier.
  • cartridge 164 is fluid permeable, and its fluid mechanical functionality as a conduit element is similar to that of cartridges of the foregoing embodiments that include only a single pod or single mass of fluid permeable material, providing some resistance to a breathable fluid flow, but not so much as to prevent a user from comfortably inhaling breathable fluid through cartridge 164.
  • a plurality of exchangeable porous cartridges each including its own corresponding throttle valve subassembly, may be stacked upon one another in the housing, to allow a user to integrate multiple functional liquids into the fluid flow in adjustable ratios.
  • cartridges according to the invention may comprise separate chambers, including a reservoir chamber for retaining a reservoir of unabsorbed functional liquid, a functional fluid delivery chamber retaining a packing material for absorbing or adsorbing the functional liquid from the reservoir chamber for introduction into a breathable fluid stream flowing through the packing material, and a partition between the chambers, the partition permitting limited exposure of the liquid in the reservoir chamber to the packing material, to permit liquid in the reservoir chamber to traverse, penetrate, or bypass the partition at a restrained rate for gradual absorption or adsorption into or onto the packing material.
  • FIG. 46 is a transverse cross-sectional view of yet another exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge according to an aspect of the invention.
  • an exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge 172 includes an annular reservoir chamber 174 and a functional fluid delivery chamber 176 retaining packing material 177, and a partition between chambers 174 and 176 is provided in the form of an impermeable barrier 178, including a small aperture 180.
  • the illustrated arrangement permits fluid in reservoir chamber 174 to flow into fluid delivery chamber 176 by capillary action, so as to maintain saturation of packing material 177, to enhance the performance of cartridge 172 by extending its usable lifetime and ensuring maximum saturation for as long as possible.
  • Aperture 180 is illustrated as being located near an end of impermeable barrier 178 closest to a valve needle component 182 integrally formed in a casing 184 of cartridge 172, which is characteristic of the proximal end of cartridges described in preceding embodiments, but not necessarily limited to being the proximal end of cartridge 172.
  • This position of aperture 180 is preferred to take advantage of a gravity feed of atomizing liquid into packing material 177 provided by a user holding cartridge 172 (or an inhalation device, attachment, or assembly incorporating cartridge 172) with its distal end pointing up.
  • aperture 180 may be alternatively located elsewhere in barrier 178 within the scope of the invention.
  • a plurality of smaller apertures may be provided, distributed evenly or unevenly in any fashion along or around barrier 178.
  • such a cartridge may include multiple porous materials having different porosities and wicking abilities.
  • an intermediate material of lower permeability may be interposed between the liquid reservoir and a more highly permeable packing material.
  • this arrangement inhibits overflow of the more highly permeable material by restraining the rate of absorption/adsorption of functional liquid into or onto the packing material.
  • functional liquid may spread through the intermediate material in directions tangential to its interface with the packing material before entering the packing material, thus promoting more uniform absorption/absorption compared to an arrangement in which a smaller inlet area (for example, that corresponding to the area of aperture 180 in cartridge 172) of the packing material is exposed directly to the packing material.
  • FIG. 47 is a transverse cross-sectional view of still another exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge according to an aspect of the invention.
  • An example to illustrate this further aspect of a multi-chambered, self-replenishing cartridge according to the invention is shown in FIG. 47, wherein an exchangeable fluid-permeable cartridge 186 includes an annular reservoir chamber 188 and a functional fluid delivery chamber 190 retaining packing material 192, a multi-layer partition between chambers 188 and 198 being provided in the form of an outer impermeable barrier 194 having an aperture 196 and an inner fluid-permeable skin 200, skin 200 being less permeable than packing material 192.
  • housing components may be "locked" together so as to restrain or wholly prevent their separation.
  • a movement to separate the components may be blocked by one or more opposed obstructing surfaces, which may or may not be oriented obliquely to the direction of separating movement, so that at least one of them cams the other out of the path of the separating movement when sufficient force is applied, depending on whether or not it is desired to permit manual separation of the components once they are connected together.
  • FIG. 39 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another alternative inhalation device.
  • FIG. 39 transverse cross-sectional elevation view
  • FIG. 42 exploded view
  • housing components that are moved relative to each other to adjust a valve position may "lock" together at a position of maximum relative separation defined for normal use, from which position it is relatively easy to draw the components closer together, up to a fully engaged position in which abutting end faces prevent further approaching movement. Drawing the components apart from the maximum separation position may be either restrained (as illustrated in the figures) or prevented outright.
  • FIG. 40 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the inhalation device shown in FIG. 25, illustrating a snap-locking throttle valve assembly thereof.
  • a throttle valve assembly 201 is shown in which a cartridge housing 202 is slidingly received by a collar 204 disposed between cartridge housing 202 and an atomizer tank subassembly 208.
  • Collar 204 incorporates a valve seat 210 mating with a valve needle component 212 integral to a cartridge casing 214 retained within a cartridge assembly comprised of housing 202 and a cartridge housing cover 215.
  • Housing 202 includes a first o-ring seat 216 for seating a snap o-ring 218 and a second o-ring seat 220 for seating a compressible o-ring 222.
  • An interior annular surface of collar 204 includes a smaller diameter skid region 224 for slidingly engaging o-rings 218 and 222 and a larger diameter retaining groove 226 into which snap o-ring 218 snaps when it reaches the lower/proximal end of skid region 224 as a user slides housing 202 into collar 204.
  • the snapping mechanism may comprise, for example, snap o-ring 218 being a relatively stiff collar (of a material such as spring steel or a similar or equivalent material) that is less than a complete annulus, permitting it to compress to a smaller diameter and spring back to a larger diameter.
  • a user will feel and/or hear the snap of o-ring 218 into retaining groove 226, in addition to feeling reduced resistance to inserting movement of housing 202 into collar 204, from compressible o- ring 222 alone sliding over skid region 224, thus providing multiple sensory indications that valve assembly is properly connected and within its normal range of adjusting movement.
  • FIG. 41 is fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of another alternative inhalation device, illustrating a threaded, snap-locking throttle valve assembly thereof.
  • an alternative threaded snap-locking throttle valve subassembly 20 ⁇ is depicted, corresponding to an alternative inhalation device 199' shown in exploded view in FIG. 42, including a a threaded cartridge housing 202' that threads into a threaded collar 204' linking to atomizer tank subassembly 208.
  • Threaded collar 204' incorporates valve seat 210 mating with valve needle component 212 of cartridge casing 214.
  • housing 202' Like housing 202, housing 202' includes a first o-ring seat 216' for seating a snap o-ring 218' and a second o-ring seat 220' for seating a compressible oring 222'.
  • An interior annular surface of threaded collar 204' includes a smaller diameter skid region 224' and a larger diameter retaining groove 226'.
  • the snap-locking mechanism of threaded throttle valve subassembly 20 ⁇ functions analogously to that of sliding throttle valve subassembly 201.
  • FIG. 42 is an exploded view of an entire inhalation device incorporating the throttle valve assembly illustrated in FIG. 41
  • variable valve system may not be restricted to the herein disclosed needle valve mechanism, but may comprise any mechanistic design that is capable of achieving the desired function described herein.
  • FIGS. 43-45 illustrate further aspects of exchangeable fluid-permeable cartridges according to the invention, embodied in cartridges 256', 256", and 256"' respectively, each of which includes an integral valve needle portion 258', 258", 258"'.
  • FIG. 43 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an exchangeable fluid-permeable cartridge according to an aspect of the invention. As shown in FIG. 43, cartridge 256' houses a packing material 260' in a casing 262' having open distal end 264.
  • FIG. 44 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another exchangeable fluid-permeable cartridge according to an aspect of the invention.
  • Cartridge 256 shown in FIG. 44, houses a packing material 260" in a casing 262" having a cover with a small-diameter aperture 266 at its distal end.
  • Small-diameter aperture 266 advantageously restrains functional fluid from leaking or evaporating through the distal end of casing 262", while also limiting the distal end face area of packing material 260" that is exposed to open air and possibly contaminants while being inserted into or removed from an inhalation device, handled, or stored by a user.
  • FIG. 45 is a transverse view of still another exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge according to an aspect of the invention. End sealing films, preferably with pull tabs for easy removal, such as films 267 and 269 depicted in FIG. 45, may be applied to a cartridge 271, as a further measure to retain functional fluid, prevent contamination, and maintain freshness prior to commencement of use.
  • FIGS. 7 & 8 depict alternative embodiments of exchangeable atomizer tanks, with separable and built-in atomizing elements, respectively.
  • exchangeable atomizer tanks facilitates alternation between atomizing liquids (such as liquids having different flavors, for example) by switching out one partially used tank for another, as well as permitting disposal and replacement of relatively cheap to manufacture tank components, typically made of plastic, of an atomization system with new, optionally prefilled components.
  • an exchangeable atomizer tank assembly 274 is depicted, arranged between a battery/controller connector 275 and another assembly component 277 (which may for example be an exchangeable fluid-permeable cartridge housing), in which two distinct atomizing elements 276 and 278 are placed in line and in electrical communication with each other.
  • Exchangeable atomization reservoirs 280 and 282 can slidingly fit over atomization chamber 284 and provide atomization liquid to the individual atomization elements. Flow of the liquid to the atomization elements may be initiated by piercing a liquid tight septum (not shown) in atomization reservoirs 280, 282, for which a suitable piercing tool (not shown) may be movably incorporated into a component of or otherwise provided with assembly 274.
  • the septum may for example be any suitable film or membrane composed of a suitable material such as silicone, rubber, plastic, or metal foil, covering a flow channel inside the reservoir.
  • Reservoirs 280, 282 may be exchangeable and disposable to allow a user to exchange atomization liquids without the need to clean or remove residues from previous liquids used in reservoirs 280, 282. Additionally, reservoirs 280, 282 preferably employ a mechanism for liquid delivery to the atomization elements that permits a user to remove an atomization reservoir without liquid leaking at any reservoir liquid level or state, such as by a spring-loaded valve mechanism (not shown) that is biased to a closed state when 280, 282 are removed from the assembly.
  • atomization reservoirs 288 and 290 may be assembled adjacent each other in series as depicted, or alternatively, having one or more other components disposed between them (not shown), such as an exchangeable fluid permeable cartridge according to the invention, with or without an associated atomizing element.
  • Reservoirs 288 and 290 are electrically connected in series or in parallel as desired.
  • Electrically resistive elements associated with reservoirs 288 and 290, or interposed between them, may be provided to permit a user to selectively choose the amount of electrical current permitted through each atomization element in each reservoir.
  • Such resistive elements could be separate and exchangeable elements that are placed in between each reservoir in order to permit a user to selectively control the atomization quantities provided from each atomization element.
  • Reservoirs 288 and 290 are preferably in fluid communication with each other, either in series or parallel, to deliver atomized liquid from each reservoir into a breathable fluid stream passing through an inhalation device according to the invention.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des dispositifs, des systèmes et des procédés grâce auxquels l'utilisateur peut changer facilement d'arôme ou de substance active physiologique et sans contamination avec des mélanges employés précédemment. Elle concerne en outre des dispositifs, des systèmes et des procédés permettant d'introduire sans les chauffer, dans la vapeur de la cigarette électronique, un arôme, de la nicotine ou d'autres espèces chimiques souhaitées destinées à être consommées par l'utilisateur, évitant ainsi la pyrolyse excessive ou la dégradation de ces ingrédients. L'invention donne la possibilité d'élaborer une expérience unique pour chaque utilisateur spécifique. De plus, cette invention pourvoit à des alternatives plus sûres aux contenants de e-liquide et dispositifs sur le marché, elle les rend moins accessibles pour les enfants et elle limite de manière générale l'exposition nocive à la nicotine liquide.
PCT/US2015/019856 2014-03-11 2015-03-11 Ensemble cigarette électronique doté d'un réservoir jetable WO2015179002A2 (fr)

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US14/984,564 US20160192708A1 (en) 2014-12-31 2015-12-30 Enhanced Electronic Cigarette Assembly With Modular Disposable Elements Including Tanks
PCT/US2015/068113 WO2016109701A1 (fr) 2014-12-31 2015-12-30 Ensemble cigarette électronique modulaire amélioré avec des éléments à jeter comprenant des réservoirs

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US14/203,560 US20150258288A1 (en) 2014-03-11 2014-03-11 Breathable Fluid Delivery System Including Exchangeable Fluid Permeable Cartridge
US14/203,560 2014-03-11
US14/333,920 US20150257447A1 (en) 2014-03-11 2014-07-17 Electronic Cigarette Assembly
US14/333,920 2014-07-17
US201462098861P 2014-12-31 2014-12-31
US62/098,861 2014-12-31

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