WO2022201127A1

WO2022201127A1 - Shear ring atomizer

Info

Publication number: WO2022201127A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/052772
Authority: WO
Inventors: Corey Charles Holton IRELAND; Timothy Wong
Original assignee: 2792684 Ontario Inc.
Priority date: 2021-03-25
Filing date: 2022-03-25
Publication date: 2022-09-29

Abstract

Droplet size management is provided through the use of a projection into the post wick airflow path of a vaping system. By occlusion of a part of the post wick airflow path, the airflow is accelerated, increasing the velocity of e-liquid droplets entrained in the airflow. By allowing the airflow path to expand after the occlusion, the accelerated airflow is slowed down. Droplets within the airflow are subjected to the acceleration and deceleration. Larger droplets will have greater momentum after the occlusion exposing them to greater shearing force and an increased likelihood of collision with slower moving particles. This increases the likelihood of droplets above a threshold size being sheared into smaller droplets.

Description

Shear Ring Atomizer

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to US Patent Application Serial No. 17/212,415 filed March 25, 20221 and entitled “Shear Ring Atomizer” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] This application relates generally to a mechanism for controlling droplet size in a vaporizer, and more particularly to a post-wick airflow feature for reducing the size of droplets entrained in an airflow for use in conjunction with an electronic cigarette or vaporizer.

Back^ground

[0003] Electronic cigarettes and vaporizers are well regarded tools in smoking cessation. In some instances, these devices are also referred to as an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS). A nicotine based liquid solution, commonly referred to as e-liquid, often paired with a flavoring, is atomized in the ENDS for inhalation by a user. In some embodiments, e-liquid is stored in a cartridge or pod, which is a removable assembly having a reservoir from which the e-liquid is drawn towards a heating element by capillary action through a wick. In many such ENDS, the pod is removable, disposable, and is sold pre-filled.

[0004] In some ENDS, a refillable tank is provided, and a user can purchase a vaporizable solution with which to fill the tank. This refillable tank is often not removable, and is not intended for replacement. A fillable tank allows the user to control the fill level as desired. Disposable pods are typically designed to carry a fixed amount of vaporizable liquid, and are intended for disposal after consumption of the e-liquid. The ENDS cartridges, unlike the aforementioned tanks, are not typically designed to be refilled. Each cartridge stores a predefined quantity of e-liquid, often in the range of 0.5 to 3ml. In ENDS systems, the e-liquid is typically composed of a combination of any of vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, nicotine and flavorings. In systems designed for the delivery of other compounds, different compositions may be used. In one such example, cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) may be delivered in an atomizable liquid carrier that is based on at least one of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, with terpenes used as a flavoring agent.

[0005]

[0006] In the manufacturing of the disposable cartridge, different techniques are used for different cartridge designs. Typically, the cartridge has a wick that allows e-liquid to be drawn from the e-liquid reservoir to an atomization chamber. In the atomization chamber, a heating element in communication with the wick is heated to encourage aerosolization of the e-liquid. The aerosolized e-liquid can be drawn through a defined air flow passage towards a user’s mouth.

[0007] Figures 1A, IB and 1C provide front, side and bottom views of an exemplary pod 50. Pod 50 is composed of a reservoir 52 having an air flow passage 54, and an end cap assembly 56 that is used to seal an open end of the reservoir 52. End cap assembly has wick feed lines 58 which allow e-liquid stored in reservoir 52 to be provided to a wick (not shown in Figure 1). To ensure that e-liquid stored in reservoir 52 stays in the reservoir and does not seep or leak out, and to ensure that end cap assembly 56 remains in place after assembly, seals 60 can be used to ensure a more secure seating of the end cap assembly 56 in the reservoir 52. In the illustrated embodiment, seals 60 may be implemented through the use of o-rings.

[0008] As noted above, pod 50 includes a wick that is heated to atomize the e-liquid. To provide power to the wick heater, electrical contacts 62 are placed at the bottom of the pod 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical contacts 62 are illustrated as circular. The particular shape of the electrical contacts 62 should be understood to not necessarily germane to the function of the pod 50.

[0009] Because an ENDS device is intended to allow a user to draw or inhale as part of the nicotine delivery path, an air inlet 64 is provided on the bottom of pod 50. Air inlet 64 allows air to flow into a pre-wick air path through end cap assembly 56. The air flow path extends through an atomization chamber and then through post wick air flow passage 54.

[0010] Figure 2 illustrates a cross section taken along line A in Figure IB. This cross section of the device is shown with a complete (non-sectioned) wick 66 and heater 68. End cap assembly 56 resiliently mounts to an end of air flow passage 54 in a manner that allows air inlet 64 to form a complete air path through pod 50. This connection allows airflow from air inlet 64 to connect to the post air flow path through passage 54 through atomization chamber 70. Within atomization chamber 70 is both wick 66 and heater 68. When power is applied to contacts 62, the temperature of the heater increases and allows for the volatilization of e-liquid that is drawn across wick 66.

[0011] Typically the heater 68 reaches temperatures well in excess of the vaporization temperature of the e-liquid. This allows for the rapid creation of a vapor bubble next to the heater 68. As power continues to be applied the vapor bubble increases in size, and reduces the thickness of the bubble wall. At the point at which the vapor pressure exceeds the surface tension the bubble will burst and release a mix of the vapor and the e-liquid that formed the wall of the bubble. The e-liquid is released in the form of aerosolized particles and droplets of varying sizes. These particles are drawn into the air flow and into post wick air flow passage 54 and towards the user.

[0012] User experience of an ENDS is related to a number of factors including the delivery of nicotine and the flavor compounds in the e-liquid. The size of the droplets entrained by the airflow, after the bubble pops, is generally understood to be associated with a number of different experiences. It is believed that flavor compounds are best provided to the user by the delivery of smaller particle sizes, while larger particles are less likely to impart flavor and are associated with negative experiences including an effect referred to as spitback.

[0013] Spitback is a term used to refer to the result of a large particle being entrained in the air flow and delivered with high velocity to the user. In different applications and different devices, there is a droplet threshold above which droplets are known to be associated with user complaints about spitback. In one example, in an ENDS device, droplets over 5pm in diameter are typically considered to be the cause of user complaints about spitback. This threshold may vary from device to device. The mitigation of spitback can be achieved through the control of the size of the droplets entrained in the air flow.

[0014] In some conventional ENDS, a mouthpiece 68 that sits atop the pod 50 can be used to modify the path of the airflow exiting post wick air flow passage 54. Because the droplets in questions are larger droplets, they tend to have greater momentum than the more desirable droplets. By controlling the placement of apertures in the mouthpiece 68, delivery of larger droplets to the user can be prevented or diminished. A laminar air flow in post wick air flow passage 54 will typically direct larger droplets in a straighter air flow. If the mouthpiece has air flow holes placed away from the center of post wick air flow passage 54, larger droplets will typically not be passed through to the user.

[0015] Each of these techniques may have some effect on the presence of spitback, however none of these techniques have been successful in completely eliminating spitback, which remains a problem to many users.

[0016] It would therefore be beneficial to have a mechanism to further mitigate spitback.

Summary

[0017] It is an object of the aspects of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problems of the above-discussed prior art.

[0018] To both reduce spitback, and not lose the e-liquid contained in spitback sized droplets, droplets above a threshold size can be subjected to acceleration and deceleration within the airflow through the pod. Because droplets associated with spitback are larger than other particles in the airflow they will have greater momentum after the acceleration phase. As the airflow declerates, spitback sized droplets may encounter collisions with slower moving particles and droplets, as well as shearing forces from being decelerated. Each of the phenomena (alone or in combination) can help to break apart the large droplets. The resulting droplets can be retained by the airflow and delivered to the user. This can help break down the largest droplets into smaller droplets that are associated with both nicotine and flavor delivery.

[0019] To aid in the delivery of this process, a first aspect of the present invention provides a pod for storing an atomizable liquid. The pod is for use in an electronic vaporizer and comprises an airflow path, a wick and a projection. The airflow path has an atomization chamber, a post-wick air flow passage and a mixing chamber connected in series. The wick is positioned within the atomization chamber for drawing the atomizable liquid from a reservoir towards a heater, The projection extends from the mixing chamber into the post wick air flow passage to occlude at least a portion of the post-wick air flow passage.

[0020] In an embodiment of the first aspect, the atomizable liquid is an e-liquid comprising at least one of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine and a flavoring. In another embodiment, the post- wick air flow passage is substantially cylindrical with a central axis extending from the atomization chamber to the mixing chamber. Optionally, the mixing chamber has sidewalls that flare outwards from the central axis, and may do so at an angle that varies from about 32° to about 55°.

[0021] In another embodiment, the projection occludes a central portion of the post wick airflow passage. In another embodiment, the portion of the post wick air flow passage not occluded by the projection forms an annular passage. Optionally, the annular passage has a width of approximately 0.25mm to 0.55mm, and the post wick air flow passage may have a width of approximately 3.55mm to 4.28mm.

[0022] In another embodiment, the airflow path and the wick are contained within a reservoir body configured to store the e-liquid within a reservoir. Optionally, the pod also has a mouthpiece for attachment to the reservoir. Optionally, the projection descends, through the mixing chamber into the post wick air flow passage, from the mouthpiece.

[0023] In another embodiment, the annular passage is configured to induce acceleration in an airflow through the airflow path. Optionally, the accelerated airflow contains entrained droplets of the atomizable liquid. In some embodiments, the mixing chamber is sized to induce deceleration of the accelerated airflow. In some embodiments, the induced deceleration is sufficient to induce shearing forces on the entrained droplets within the airflow.

[0024] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a similar pod as is provided in the first aspect. However, in the pod according to the second aspect, a mixing chamber is optional. Furthermore, the projection can be fully embedded within the post wick air flow passage, and need not extend to the optional mixing chamber. In some embodiments, applying to both first and second aspects, the projection and the post wick air flow passage are both circular in profile, and the portion of the post wick air flow passage not occluded by the projection can form an annular passage.

[0025] With respect to both the first and second aspects, it is possible for the projection to take many different shapes, as is true for the post wick air flow passage. Thus, the shape of the annular passage, in profile, does not necessarily need to be ring-like. In many embodiments it will be largely annular due to a generally circular cross section of the post wick airflow passage.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figure in which:

Figure 1 A is a front view of a prior art pod for use in an ENDS, with a cross sectioned mouthpiece;

Figure IB is a side view of the pod of Figure 1A;

Figure 1C is a bottom view of the pod of Figure 1A;

Figure 2 is a cross section view of the pod of Figures 1A, IB and 1C, shown along section line A-A in Figure IB;

Figure 3 is a sectioned view of an alternate embodiment of a pod;

Figure 4 is a cross section isometric view of an embodiment of a pod with a projection into the post wick air flow passage connected to the mouthpiece;

Figure 5 is a cross section isometric view of the pod of Figure 4 from a different perspective angle;

Figure 6 is a cross section side view of an embodiment of a pod having a blunt projection;

Figure 7 is a cross section side view of an embodiment of a pod having a pointed projection;

Figure 8 A is a cross section side view of an embodiment of a pod having a projection not connected to a mouthpiece;

Figure 8B is a top- view of the pod of Figure 8 A; Figure 9 is a cross section side view of an embodiment of a pod having a friction fit projection (not shown in section) into the post wick air flow passage;

Figure 10A is side view of the projection of Figure 9; and

Figure 1 OB is a top view of the projection of Figure 10A.

[0027] In the above described figures like elements have been described with like numbers where possible.

Detailed Description

[0028] In the instant description, and in the accompanying figures, reference to dimensions may be made. These dimensions are provided for the enablement of a single embodiment and should not be considered to be limiting or essential. Disclosure of numerical range should be understood to not be a reference to an absolute value unless otherwise indicated. Use of the terms about or substantively with regard to a number should be understood to be indicative of an acceptable variation of up to ±10% unless otherwise noted.

[0029] In an ENDS system, preventing the delivery of droplets above a size threshold has been addressed in a number of different ways. Figure 3 illustrates a pod 80 that will be used in the following discussion, that while different from the pod illustrated in previous figures, still maintains similar elements.. Pod 80 has a reservoir 82 with a post wick airflow path 84, and an end cap 86. The end cap 86 houses a wick 88 and heater 90. The heater 90 is electrically connected to electrical leads through which it receives power. Wick 88 is positioned so that it is in fluid contact with e-liquid stored within reservoir 82. E-liquid that is drawn across the wick 88 can be vaporized by heater 90, and entrained by an airflow that traverses the pod, passing over wick 88 and through post wick airflow path 84. At the terminal end of post wick airflow path 88, at the end opposite the wick 88, the walls of the post wick air flow path widen to create a mixing chamber 94. Mixing chamber 94 is closed off by mouthpiece 92. Within mixing chamber 94, the air flow from the post wick airflow passage 84 can be combined with unsaturated air. The shaping of the mixing chamber 94 can allow for larger droplets to be effectively pushed out towards the walls of the mixing chamber 94. At or near the interface between the walls of mixing chamber 94 and the mouthpiece 92 is an absorptive pad, referred to as a spitback pad 96. This absorptive pad 96 is often an annular pad made of a fibrous material such as cotton, and is intended to absorb droplets within the mixing chamber.

[0030] Some designs of mouth piece 92 create a vortex in the mixing chamber 94. Spitback is managed in these systems by having the vortex push larger droplets to the outside of the vortex, and thus into either the walls of mixing chamber 94 or into the spit back pad 96. While this may prevent some of the spitback from occuring, it wastes e-liquid that could otherwise be provided to the user. E-liquid absorbed by the spitback pad 96 could better be used by having it delivered to the user to enhance flavor or nicotine delivery. Other large droplets may form in the mixing chamber 94 and post-wick air flow path 84 during the cooling of the device after operation. These droplets may roll back towards the wick 88. Droplets of e-liquid may also pool below the wick 88 where they are no longer available for use.

[0031] Trapping droplets over a threshold size is a somewhat effective way of avoiding spit back but it does have consequences. It has been experimentally determined that the droplets below a spit back threshold are the droplets that greatly contribute to the delivery of flavor. By trapping or diverting droplets larger than a threshold size, there is great potential for the threshold to be set too low, and for the droplets contributing to flavor and sized below the threshold to be removed from the air flow. Even when the threshold is set correctly, there is an assumption that the mass manufacture of low cost components will allow for sufficient alignment in each of the pods to ensure that the threshold is consistent across the manufactured pods.

[0032] To improve the delivery of flavor to the user, the ENDS needs to increase the number of droplets having a size that is associated with flavor delivery. Typically attempts to accomplish this have been directed to an overall increase in the mass of e-liquid injected into the airflow during activation of the heater. Because generation of droplets and aerosols is a function of how the heater is operated, and the characteristics of the e-liquid, attempts to increase the mass of the e-liquid injected into the airflow typically increases the number of larger droplets as well. Thus, attempts to increase the generation of flavor have been observed to result in increased spitback, which does not improve the user experience. In Figure 3 a spitback mitigation device is included in the form of a vortex generator 98 This vortex generator 98 is a feature introduced in the post-wick airflow passage 84 here illustrated as being a part of a silicone cover to the end cap 86. Details about the operation of the vortex generator 98 may be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17/146,884 filed January 12, 2021, entitled “Droplet Size Management through Vortex Generation” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In principle, the vortex generator 98 acts to push large droplets into the walls of the post wick air flow passage and mixing chamber 94 through the creation of vortices. As the droplets associated with spitback are typically larger droplets, they are less likely to travel with a generated vortex, and are more likely to be driven into the walls if the post wck air flow passage 84 and mixing chamber 94 Although in conjunction with an increase of the mass of the e-liquid injected into the airflow, spitback mitigation devices allow for increase flavor delivery with mitigation of spitback sized droplet delivery, they may result in a degree of inefficiency if the spitback droplets are removed from the airflow without being recovered in which case they effectively represent lost e-liquid. 0033 Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention that increases smaller droplets while mitigating spitback. Pod 100 has a reservoir 102 a post wick airflow passage 104 and a mouthpiece 106 Not shown are the components typically associated with the end cap, which are not germane to the mechanism and mechanics of this embodiment. As before, the post wick airflow passage 104 widens at its terminal end, nearest the mouthpiece 106 This widening defines the mixing chamber 108 Off center from a central axis, within the mouthpiece 106 are apertures 110 which allow the airflow to deliver e-liquid vapor, aerosols and droplets to the user. In a conventional pod, the airflow would pass from the post wick air flow passage 104 into the mixing chamber 108 where larger droplets would continue along a relatively straight path and smaller droplets would follow a path that bends at least partially in accordance with the widening walls that defines the mixing chamber 108 0034 In the illustrated embodiment, a projection 112 descends from the mouthpiece 106 and partially occludes the top of the post wick air flow passage 104 The partial occlusion of post wick air flow passage 104 creates a narrowed annular passage 114 between the post wick air flow passage 104 and the mixing chamber 108. As droplets pass through the narrowed annular passage 104, they will increase their flow velocity in accordance with the Bernoulli principle.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, projection 112 occludes the post wick air flow path 104 with a tapered end. It should be understood that other embodiments, the end need not be tapered and can have other shapes including those with abrupt ends, as will be illustrated in subsequent figures. As projection 112 has a tapered end in the illustrated embodiments, the annular passage 114 narrows along the taper of the projection until it ends at the interface between the post wick airflow passage 104 and the mixing chamber 108. This is an abrupt change in the size of the passage, between the narrowest portion of the annular passage 114 and the space of the mixing chamber 108. With the change in the size of the passage, according to the Bernoulli principle, the air flow carrying the droplets experiences a reduction in its flow velocity.

[0036] With the reduction in the flow velocity, the droplets entrained in the airflow are expected to experience at least one of the following results: tearing of the droplets above a size threshold into smaller droplets and collision with other particles. The airflow increases its flow velocity within the annular passage 114 as it narrows along the taper of the projection 112. The droplets entrained within the airflow will also have an increased velocity, and thus an increased momentum. As the airflow enters mixing chamber 108, it experiences a reduction in the flow velocity because it is no longer in the constrained volume of annular passage 114. This sudden deceleration of the airflow may also result in a deceleration of droplets. Because momentum is a function of both the velocity and the mass of an object, this subjects larger droplets to greater changes in momentum. Larger droplets have larger masses, larger volumes, and a larger surface area than smaller droplets. Larger droplets also typically have a larger frontal area. Because of their momentum, larger droplets will be more likely to maintain the increased velocity than the rest of the airflow. With their larger frontal area, this will result in the larger droplets being subjected to a shearing force in the decelerated airflow. The principal force that holds a droplet together is the surface tension of the e-liquid. The shearing force referred to above will be sufficient to overcome the surface tension of sufficiently large droplets, resulting in a large droplet being broken into smaller droplets. The changes in velocity are a function of the narrowing of the annular passage 114 and the size of the mixing chamber 108. Thus, by controlling the amount of narrowing in the annular passage 114, it is possible to set a threshold size above which droplets will be torn apart. As larger droplets have greater momentum than the rest of the airflow that they are entrained in, they may retain the higher velocity longer, resulting in fast moving droplets in a slower airflow. This may result in the larger droplets colliding with slower moving parts of the airflow. Below a threshold speed, collisions of droplets may result in the formation of a larger droplet, in which case the droplet is likely sufficiently large that it will experience shearing forces as described above. Above the threshold speed, a collision of droplets may result in droplets above a size threshold being broken apart, the result of which may be tearing of the large droplets into smaller droplets.

[0037] For example, if droplets above 5 pm are believed to be associated with spitback, and droplets below that threshold are associated with flavor delivery, the projection 112 can be designed to intrude into the post wick airflow passage 104 by a certain amount, and narrow at a given rate to create the narrowest portion of the annular passage 114. In one embodiment, [0038] The resultant shearing force, along with possible impacts between the droplets and slower moving particles in the mixing chamber 108, can be targeted to cause a large droplet to be broken into a plurality of smaller droplets. These smaller droplets can be delivered to the user through apertures 110 in the mouthpiece 106.

[0039] The diameter of a post wick airflow passage 104 may vary along the length of the passage, and in some embodiments may vary from 3.55mm to 4.28mm, with the wider end of the passage being furthest from the wick. The widest end of the post wick airflow passage 104 is thus located near to the mixing chamber 108. This widest end is partially occluded by the projection 112. The size of the annular passage 114 is defined by the difference in the widths of the post wick airflow passage 104 and the projection 112, and in some embodiments this may range from 0.25mm to 0.55mm. The sidewall of the mixing chamber 108 may be angled with respect to the sidewalls of the post wick airflow passage 104. This angle may vary if the pod 100 is elliptical, and in some embodiments it varies from about 32° to about 55° from the vertical. The depth to which the projection 112 enters the post wick air flow passage 104 can vary, but it should be understood that both this depth, and the overall shape of the projection 112 will have an effect on the flow resistance experienced by the user when drawing on the device. In one embodiment the projection 112 enters the post wick airflow passage 104 to a depth of approximately 5mm. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the dimensions provided here are relevant to one embodiment and should not be considered to be limiting. The size of the annular passage 114 and the depth of the projection 112 in the post wick airflow passage 104 can both be selected to have an effect on the flow resistance and on the acceleration of the air flow. This will help define the size of the droplets that will be exposed to sufficient forces to be broken into smaller droplets. The angle from the vertical of the walls of the mixing chamber 108 also help define how much deceleration the airflow is subjected to, which will affect both collisions of larger droplets with other particles, and a shearing force that may be applied to the droplets.

[0040] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate alternative embodiments of pod 100. In each of these embodiments, pod 100 includes a reservoir 102 having a post wick airflow passage 104, a mouthpiece 106 with apertures 110, and a mixing chamber 108. However, instead of projection 112 being torpedo-shaped, in Figure 6, a blunt projection 112-1 is illustrated. Annular passage 114 is maintained, but in the illustrated embodiment, the transition from the full width of post wick airflow passage 104 to the narrowed annular passage 114 is somewhat abrupt. This may result in a different vaping experience for the user, and is likely to result in what is often referred to as a “tighter draw” where the user is required to draw on the device with greater force to create the air flow through the pod 100 sufficient to cause activation of the device. In contrast, the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 makes use of a projection 112-2 that creates a similarly sized annular passage 114 at the narrowest point, but retains some of the profile of the earlier embodiments through the use of a more regularly pointed profile in the projection 112-2. The overall length of the projections 112-1 and 112-2 may be similar to each other and to the projection 112, or in other embodiments the length of the projection may be varied. Variances in the length of the projection, along with its shape, can affect a number of user experience factors, including nicotine and flavor delivery along with the tightness of the draw.

[0041] Figure 8Aand 8B illustrate another embodiment of pod 100, but without including the mouthpiece for ease of review. Pod 100, again includes a reservoir 102 having a post wick air flow passage 104 and a mixing chamber 108. Where previously illustrated embodiments made use of the mouthpiece as structure to which the projection 112 could be anchored, the embodiment of Figgures 8 A and 8B make use of an anchor that is not connected to the mouthpiece. It should be understood that in a conventional ENDS making use of disposable pods, the cost of the pods is typically quite low. This requires large scale manufacturing at a low cost. Accordingly, it may be difficult in these circumstances to ensure alignment between the post wick air flow path 104 and the projection 112. Misalignment may result in an inability to ensure mating of the two elements, or in some cases mating may be possible, but with the post wick air flow path 104 and the projection 112 failing to be co-axial. If the two are concentric but not coaxial it will result in an irregular profile to the annular passage 114. This will result in larger volumes of the e-liquid laden air flow passing through the larger size in the passage 114. If the larger size in the passage does not result in a sufficient increase in the flow velocity, the shearing force on the droplets will be insufficient, and a portion of the airflow will not have spit back size droplets sheared into smaller droplets. It should be understood that it is possible to overcome alignment issues, so long as the maximum size of the annular passage 114, at its minimum size, is sufficiently small to cause acceleration of the air flow to the required velocity. It should be understood that this velocity will vary with a number of factors including the viscosity of the e-liquid.

[0042] In Figure 8A, a cross section of a pod 100 is shown, where a projection 112-3 is inserted into the post wick air flow passage 104, until a set of arms 116 connect to the walls of mixing chamber 108. These arms 116 allow for alignment and for ensuring the correct placement height for projection 112-3. Although this would require an additional step in the assembly process of pod 100, it allows for separation between the manufacturing of the reservoir 102 and a mouth piece 106 and avoids requiring that the two are manufactured to sufficient tolerances to allow for the sufficiently co-axial placement. [0043] Figure 8B illustrates a top view of the pod 100 shown in Figure 8 A. At the outer edge is reservoir 102, illustrated here as being an oval, although the particular shape of the outside of the reservoir 102 should not be taken as material to the inventive concepts discussed herein. Inside reservoir 102, the mixing chamber 108 can be seen, and inserted within the mixing chamber (and occluding the view of post wick air passage 104) is projection 112-3, with arms 116. Between mixing chamber 108 and projection 112-3 can be seen the annular passage 114.

[0044] Figure 9 illustrates a further embodiment of pod 100 in which the pod 100 is shown in cross section, while a projection into the post- wick air flow passage is shown in full, and is not connected to the mouthpiece, nor is it supported by arms. Pod comprises pod 102 having a post wick air flow passage 104, and a mouthpiece 106. As post wick air flow passage 104 approaches its terminal end near the mouthpiece 106, it widens to create a mixing chamber 108. E-liquid laden air flow is provided to the user through apertures 110 in the mouthpiece 106. Occluding the post wick air flow passage 104, as it widens to form the mixing chamber 108, is projection 112-4. Projection 112-4 projects into the post wick airflow passage 104 to reduce the size of the passage into mixing chamber 108. Projection 112-4 is secured within post wick airflow passage 104, in the illustrated embodiment, by a friction fit between the walls of passage 104 and raised ribs 118 on projection 112-4. Although shown as being both vertically aligned and running the full length of the projection 112-4, ribs 118 could be otherwise aligned and sized. The ribs 118 allow for a friction fit while still allowing for an air gap between the body of projection 112-4 and the sidewalls of post wick air flow passage 104. This is better illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B.

[0045] Figure 10A illustrates a side view of projection 112-4 having an elliptical shape when viewed from the top or bottom. Projection 112-4 shows three optional levels in its height. From the base to a first level, the width of the projection increases, then from that level to a second level, the width of projection 112-4 remains constant, and then finally between the second level to the top, the width increases again. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other shapes can be used, and this pattern is not necessarily required for the functioning of the projection 112-4. In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the projection 112-4 is increased by the presence of a rib 118. In the illustrated embodiment four ribs 118 are shown, arranged where the major and minor axes of the ellipse reach the edge. This allows for placement of the projection 112-4 within a post wick air flow passage, while ensuring sufficient spacing from a sidewall. This can be seen in Figure 10B, where it becomes clear that the ribs 118 provide both a friction fit for the projection 112-4 within a chimney, and ensure that the annular passage 114 is appropriately sized. In some embodiments, a designed width for annular passage 114 is used to determine the height of the ribs 118. The width of each rib need not be identical, but they may be sized to ensure appropriate air flow and for ease of moldability. In some embodiments the number of ribs 118 may vary, and the sizing of individual ribs may vary from that of other ribs. Changing the height of a rib will result in changing the width of annular passage 114, which, as described above, may be substantially equal around the projection 112-4 to ensure equal flow velocity changes on all sides. Where the ribs 118 have different heights, this will have the same effect as a mis-aligned projection 112 from earlier figures. A difference in the gap between the projection and the post wick air flow passage may result in different flow velocities, and this can be accommodated by selection of the appropriate design parameters to ensure that the sheer force on particles is sufficient to effect droplets of the threshold size. By having at least part of the annular passage 114 of a different size than other parts, the droplet threshold above which droplets are subjected to sufficient shear force to tear them into small droplets may be modified (and in some embodiments, unequally modified).

[0046] Although presented below in the context of use in an electronic nicotine delivery system such as an electronic cigarette (e-cig) or a vaporizer (vape) it should be understood that the scope of protection need not be limited to this space, and instead is delimited by the scope of the claims. Embodiments of the present invention are anticipated to be applicable in areas other than ENDS, including (but not limited to) other vaporizing applications.

[0047] In the instant description, and in the accompanying figures, reference to dimensions may be made. These dimensions are provided for the enablement of a single embodiment and should not be considered to be limiting or essential. The sizes and dimensions provided in the drawings are provided for exemplary purposes and should not be considered limiting of the scope of the invention, which is defined solely in the claims.

Claims

1. A pod for storing an atomizable liquid, for use in an electronic vaporizer, the pod comprising: an airflow path comprising a post- wick air flow passage connected to a mixing chamber; a wick positioned within an atomization chamber for drawing the atomizable liquid from a reservoir towards a heater; and a projection extending from the mixing chamber into the post wick air flow passage to occlude at least a portion of the post-wick air flow passage.

2. The pod of claim 1 wherein the atomizable liquid is an e-liquid comprising at least one of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine and a flavoring.

3. The pod of claim 1 wherein the atomizable liquid comprises at least one of a cannabinoid, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine and a terpene.

4. The pod of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the post- wick air flow passage is substantially cylindrical with a central axis extending from the atomization chamber to the mixing chamber.

5. The pod of claim 4 wherein the mixing chamber has sidewalls that flare outwards from the central axis.

6. The pod of claim 5 wherein the sidewalls flare outwards at an angle that varies from about 32° to about 55°.

7. The pod of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the projection occludes a central portion of the post wick airflow passage.

8. The pod of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the portion of the post wick air flow passage not occluded by the projection forms an annular passage.

9. The pod of claim 8 wherein the annular passage has a width of approximately 0.25mm to 0.55mm.

10. The pod of claim 9 wherein the post wick air flow passage has a width of approximately 3.55mm to 4.28mm.

11. The pod of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the airflow path and the wick are contained within a reservoir body configured to store the e-liquid within a reservoir.

12. The pod of claim 11 further comprising a mouthpiece for attachment to the reservoir.

13. The pod of claim 12 wherein the projection descends, through the mixing chamber into the post wick air flow passage, from the mouthpiece.

14. The pod of any one of claim 8 to 13 wherein the annular passage is configured to induce acceleration in an airflow through the airflow path.

15. The pod of claim 14 wherein the accelerated airflow contains entrained droplets of the atomizable liquid.

16. The pod of any one of claims 14 and 15 wherein the mixing chamber is sized to induce deceleration of the accelerated airflow.

17. The pod of claim 16 wherein the induced deceleration is sufficient to induce shearing forces on the entrained droplets within the airflow.

18. The pod of any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the atomization chamber is part of the airflow path and precedes the post-wick air flow passage.

19. A pod for storing an atomizable liquid, for use in an electronic vaporizer, the pod comprising: an airflow path comprising a post- wick air flow passage; a wick positioned within an atomization chamber for drawing the atomizable liquid from a reservoir towards a heater; and a projection at least partially within the post wick air flow passage to occlude at least a portion of the post-wick air flow passage.

20. The pod of claim 19 wherein the airflow passage further comprises the atomization chamber and a mixing chamber.

21. The pod of any one of claims 19 and 20 wherein the projection is completely positioned within the post wick air flow passage.

22. The pod of any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein the projection and post wick air flow passage are both circular in profile, and a portion of the post wick air flow passage not occluded by the projection forms an annular passage.

23. The pod of any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein the atomizable liquid is an e-liquid comprising at least one of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine and a flavoring.

24. The pod of any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein the atomizable liquid comprises at least one of a cannabinoid, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine and a terpene.