WO2023206407A1

WO2023206407A1 - Vaporizer cartridge with snap spring

Info

Publication number: WO2023206407A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/090422
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lipeng Liu
Original assignee: The Blinc Group, Inc.
Priority date: 2022-04-29
Filing date: 2022-04-29
Publication date: 2023-11-02

Abstract

A vaporizer cartridge with snap ring (300) notably includes a central post (110), a reservoir (120), a mouthpiece (200), and a snap ring (300), where the snap ring (300) may be configured to fix the mouthpiece (200) to the central post (110). The vaporizer cartridge with snap ring (300) is useful for improving manufacturing efficiency by simplifying the design of the vaporizer cartridge mouthpiece.

Description

VAPORIZER CARTRIDGE WITH SNAP SPRING

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright or trade dress protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter that is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application does not claim priority to any patent or patent application.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of vaporizer cartridges of existing art and more specifically relates to vaporizer cartridges containing snap springs.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic vaporizers have become very popular in the United States and abroad. While many types of portable electronic vaporizers exist, ones with replaceable cartridges that come pre-filled with the liquid-to-be-vaporized command a large portion of the market share.

However, the field of vaporizer cartridges is still in its nascent stage, and thus substantial room for improvement of these devices exists. Improvements to the structure of cartridges that may lead to increased manufacturing efficiency are especially valuable.

To that end, there exists a need for simplified vaporizer cartridges that are easier and cheaper to consistently manufacture.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a vaporizer cartridge, including a central member, preferably where the central member includes a central post and a reservoir. Preferably, the central post has a top end with a first opening, a bottom end with a second opening, an exterior surface, an interior surface, and preferably, a depression proximate to the top end. More preferably, the first opening, interior surface, and second opening are in fluid communication. In an embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge includes a mouthpiece having a fluid passthrough, an ingress for receiving the top end, and preferably a recess proximate to the ingress which overlaps with the depression. In an embodiment, the fluid passthrough is in fluid communication with the first opening, the second opening, and the interior surface, preferably where the mouthpiece is situated proximate to and surrounding the top end. In an embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge includes a snap spring placed in the overlap of the depression and the recess, preferably where the snap spring fixes the central member to the mouthpiece.

In an embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge includes an inner seal configured to seal a gap between the fluid passthrough and the central post within the ingress. In an embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge includes an outer seal configured to seal a gap between the mouthpiece and the reservoir. In an embodiment, the outer seal includes one or more openings configured to accept the snap spring, which overlap the recess and the depression, preferably where the outer seal is further configured to seal a gap between the overlap of the recess and the depression and the snap spring. In an embodiment, the inner seal is configured to prevent fluid from traveling between the mouthpiece and the central post. In an embodiment, the outer seal is configured to prevent fluid from traveling between the mouthpiece and the reservoir.

In an embodiment, the reservoir is disposed so as to at least partially surround the central post and abut the mouthpiece.

In an embodiment, the central post includes a heating element connected to the reservoir and in communication with an interior of the reservoir. In an embodiment, the heating element includes a fluid impermeable barrier configured to prevent the passage of fluid between the interior surface of the central post and the interior of the reservoir.

In an embodiment, the mouthpiece includes a recessed portion proximate to the ingress, configured to rest within the reservoir. In an embodiment, the recess is disposed on the recessed portion.

In an embodiment, the central member includes a threaded section proximate to the bottom end.

In an embodiment, the mouthpiece includes an inner metal structure which forms the periphery of the ingress. In an embodiment, the inner metal structure is attached to the remainder of the mouthpiece via an adhesive.

The claims should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above, this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure.

Implementations may include one or a combination of any two or more of the aforementioned features or embodiments.

These and other aspects, features, implementations, and advantages can be expressed as methods, apparatuses, systems, components, program products, business methods, and means or steps for performing functions, or some combination thereof.

Other features, aspects, implementations, and advantages will become apparent from the descriptions, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective viewing, showing an example embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective viewing, showing an example embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective viewing, showing an example embodiment of the central post according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective viewing, showing an example embodiment of the central post according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective viewing, showing an example embodiment of the central member according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective viewing, showing an example embodiment of the central member according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective viewing, showing an example embodiment of the mouthpiece, inner seal, outer seal, snap spring, and recess according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an exploded viewing, showing an example embodiment of the mouthpiece, inner seal, outer seal, snap spring, and recess according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional viewing, showing an example embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional viewing, showing a close-up view of the example embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge shown in FIG. 9, with focus on the section of the vaporizer cartridge surrounded by the dashed circle in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an exploded viewing, showing an example embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge according to the present disclosure.

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various example embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete, and fully conveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present disclosure. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure, which is not intended to be limited thereto in any manner whatsoever. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

For purposes of the present disclosure of the invention, unless specifically disclaimed, the singular includes the plural and vice-versa, the words “and” and “or” shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive, the words “any” and “all” shall both mean “any and all” .

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vaporizer cartridge, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, including a central member. In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the central member 100 includes a central post 110 and a reservoir 120, preferably where the central post 110 has a top end 111 with a first opening 112, a bottom end 113 with a second opening 114, an exterior surface 115, and an interior surface 116, more preferably where the first opening 112, interior surface 116, and second opening 114 are in fluid communication. In some embodiments, the central post 110 is configured to allow a vaporized substance to pass through the interior of the central post 110 for consumption and/or inhalation by the user. In some embodiments, such vaporized substance forms an admixture with ambient air from outside the vaporizer cartridge prior to inhalation by the user. In some embodiments, the central post has a depression proximate to the top end 117. Such depression 117 may take many forms, such as an indentation, a groove, a notch, a neck, such as that produced by a necking machine, or any other appropriate form as would be understood by a person of skill in the art. In some embodiments, the depression 117 is solely a feature of the exterior surface 115, whereas in other embodiments, the depression may link the exterior surface 115 to the interior surface 116, such as in the form of an opening extending from the exterior into the interior of the central post.

In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the reservoir 120 has an interior 121, preferably where the interior of the reservoir 121 is filled with the substance to be vaporized and/or the reservoir 120 contains, within its interior 121, the substance to be vaporized. In many embodiments, the reservoir 120 is empty until after the vaporizer cartridge is assembled, after which it may be filled. In other embodiments, the reservoir 120 is filled, and then capped as part of the assembly process of the vaporizer cartridge.

In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the vaporizer cartridge includes a mouthpiece 200, preferably having a fluid passthrough 210, and an ingress 220, the ingress preferably designed to receive the top end 111. Preferably, the fluid passthrough 210 is in fluid communication with the first opening 112, the second opening 114, and the interior surface 116. In an embodiment, the mouthpiece may include a recess 230, preferably where the recess 230 at least partially overlaps or aligns with the depression 117. In some embodiments, the recess 230 may take the form of an opening extending from an exterior surface of the mouthpiece into the ingress 220 on an interior of the mouthpiece. In an exemplary embodiment, the recess 230 includes one or more openings into the ingress 220, which, when the top end 111 is inserted into the ingress 220, the openings at least partially overlap or align with the depression 117, such that an object inserted through one or more of the openings into the ingress 220 rests within the depression 117.

In an embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge includes a snap spring 300. In a preferable embodiment, the snap spring 300 is placed, disposed, and/or located in the overlap of the depression 117 and the recess 230, more preferably such that the snap spring 300 is inserted through the recess 230 to rest within the depression 117. In an embodiment, the snap spring, when located within the overlap, attaches and/or fixes the mouthpiece 200 to the central post 110. Preferably, the recess 230 includes a pair of openings and the snap spring 300 is shaped such that it has two ends configured to fit within such openings. In some embodiments, the snap spring 300 is U-shaped, or is shaped in an equivalent shape which connects the two ends. In these embodiments, the snap spring 300 thus binds the portion of the mouthpiece 200 situated between the two ends, and through this portion the mouthpiece 200 in general, to the central post 110 when the snap spring 300 is inserted into the openings. However, in other embodiments, the snap spring 300 may have any number of ends, and the recess 230 any number of openings, as long as such functionality for the snap spring 300 to bind a section of the mouthpiece 200 to the central post 110 is maintained. Other methods of holding the snap spring 300 in place, and thus fixing the attachment position of the mouthpiece 200 to the central post 110, are also contemplated.

The attachment and/or fixing of the mouthpiece 200 to the central post 110, with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, through the snap spring 300 may provide multiple functions, such as allowing the mouthpiece 200 to be attached, permanently or removably, from the central member 100, and may also serve to cap the reservoir 120 and contain the substance to be vaporized within the reservoir 120. In embodiments where the snap fit of the mouthpiece 200 caps the reservoir 120, the use of a separate snap spring 300 inserted through the recess 230 into the depression 117 allows the overall design of the mouthpiece 200 to be greatly simplified, since the mouthpiece 200 does not otherwise need to be designed to attach to the central member 100 to complete the capping process. The snap spring 300 system used herein also serves to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of the capping process and also serves to reduce complexity of construction, reduce the chance of defects during construction, increase manufacturing efficiency, and significantly reduce the costs of manufacture.

In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 11, the vaporizer cartridge includes an inner seal 400, preferably configured to seal a gap between the fluid passthrough 210 and the central post 110 within the ingress 220. In an embodiment, the inner seal 400 is configured to prevent fluid or gas from traveling between the mouthpiece 200 and the central post 110. In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge includes an outer seal 500, preferably which abuts the reservoir 120 and the mouthpiece 200, more preferably which is configured to seal a gap between the mouthpiece 20 and the reservoir 120. In some embodiments, the outer seal 500 includes one or more openings configured to accept the snap spring 300, preferably where the openings overlap the recess 230 and the depression 117. In some embodiments, the outer seal 500 is configured to seal a gap between the overlap of the recess 230 and the depression 117 and the snap spring 300. In some embodiments, the outer seal 500 is configured to prevent fluid or gas from traveling between the mouthpiece 200 and the reservoir 120.

In some embodiments, the outer seal 500 serves to prevent communication of gas or fluid between any of the reservoir 120, the mouthpiece 200, and an ambient environment. In some embodiments, this outer seal 500 is inserted as part of the capping process, and serves, along with the mouthpiece 200, to form a barrier that prevents the substance within the reservoir 120 from escaping, preferably either between a gap between the mouthpiece 200 and the reservoir 120 into the ambient environment, or from the reservoir 120 directly into the fluid passthrough 210 or other space between the mouthpiece and the reservoir. In an embodiment, the outer seal 500 prevents air from the ambient environment from entering the vaporizer cartridge through a space between the mouthpiece 200 and the reservoir 120. In an embodiment, the inner seal 400 is configured to seal a space between the fluid passthrough 210 and the exterior surface 115. In some embodiments, the inner seal 400 is thus configured to prevent communication of gas or fluid from passing through any gaps between the exterior surface of the central post 115 and the interior surface of the fluid passthrough 210, thus forcing fluid communication exclusively between the fluid passthrough 210 and the interior surface of the central post 116 by preventing such leaks. In many embodiments, one or more of the inner seal 400 or the outer seal 500 may be composed of any appropriate materials sufficient to provide the necessary material properties to seal the specified spaces. However, in some embodiments, one or more of the inner seal 400 or the outer seal 500 may be composed of silicone.

The mouthpiece 200 may be made of any solid material suitable for use in a mouthpiece component known in the art, with appropriate properties such as non-toxicity when inserted into the user’s mouth, and tolerance to the levels of heat associated with the vaporized substance passing through the fluid passthrough 210. Examples of appropriate materials include ceramics, wood, metals, alloys, composites, plastics, and other similar materials.

FIG. 11 represents an exemplary embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge of the present disclosure, including a central member 100 with a central post 110 and reservoir 120, a mouthpiece 200, an inner seal 400, and an outer seal 500, a snap spring 300 inserted through the recess 230 to rest within the overlap between the recess 230 and depression 117, along with additional components typical to vaporizer cartridges of the art, such as a heating element. In some embodiments, the central post includes a heating element, preferably situated between the interior surface of the central post 116 and the interior of the reservoir 121, and/or connected to the reservoir 120 and in communication with the interior of the reservoir 121. In some embodiments, the heating element is configured to heat and/or vaporize the substance within the reservoir, for transmission to and/or inhalation by the user through the interior surface of the central post 116 and the fluid passthrough 210. In some embodiments, the heating element includes a fluid impermeable barrier configured to prevent the passage of fluid between the interior surface of the central post 116 and the interior of the reservoir 121. In some embodiments, this fluid impermeable barrier is necessary to prevent the substance within the reservoir from leaking out into the central post. In some embodiments, the fluid impermeable barrier is only fluid impermeable, but allows gas and other vaporized materials to pass through from the interior of the reservoir 121 to the interior surface of the central post 116, preferably to then pass through the fluid passthrough in the mouthpiece 210, and to the user.

In some embodiments, the central member 100, and/or the central post 110 includes a threaded section 130 proximate to the bottom end 113.

In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 200 includes a recessed portion 240 located proximately to the ingress 220, preferably where the recessed portion 240 is configured to rest within the reservoir 120 when the vaporizer cartridge is assembled and/or the reservoir is capped. In some embodiments, this recessed portion 240 is configured to fit within a space between the reservoir 120 and the central post 110, preferably when the vaporizer cartridge is assembled and/or the reservoir 120 is capped by the mouthpiece 200. In highly preferred embodiments, one or more of the recess 230 and the ingress 220 are disposed and/or located, at least partially, on the recessed portion 240.

In an embodiment, the mouthpiece 200 includes an inner metal structure which forms the periphery of the ingress 220. In an embodiment, the inner metal structure is attached to the remained of the mouthpiece via an adhesive. In such embodiments, the mouthpiece is composed of two or more parts, each made separately then assembled together using an adhesive. The inner metal structure portion of the mouthpiece is disposed in the interior of the mouthpiece in such embodiments, and abuts the fluid passthrough 210.

It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected.

It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first, ” “second, ” and “third, ” are used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer and/or section from another element, component, region, layer and/or section. Thus, a “first element, ” “component, ” “region, ” “layer” and/or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer and/or section without departing from the teachings herein.

Features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment and such variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Implementations may also include one or a combination of any two or more of the aforementioned features or embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath, ” “below, ” “lower, ” “above, ” “upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element (s) or feature (s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.

As the disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

The disclosure is illustrated throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.

Claims

A vaporizer cartridge, comprising:

a central member comprising a central post and a reservoir;

the central post having a top end with a first opening, a bottom end with a second opening, an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a depression proximate to the top end,

wherein the first opening, the second opening, and the interior surface are in fluid communication;

a mouthpiece having a fluid passthrough, an ingress for receiving the top end, and a recess proximate to the ingress which overlaps with the depression,

wherein the fluid passthrough is in fluid communication with the first opening, the second opening, and the interior surface,

wherein the mouthpiece is situated proximate to and surrounding the top end; and a snap spring placed in the overlap of the depression and the recess,

wherein the snap spring fixes the central member to the mouthpiece.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising an inner seal configured to seal a gap between the fluid passthrough and the central post within the ingress.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising an outer seal configured to seal a gap between the mouthpiece and the reservoir.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 3, the outer seal comprising one or more openings configured to accept the snap spring which overlap the recess and the depression, wherein the outer seal is further configured to seal a gap between the overlap of the recess and the depression and the snap spring.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the reservoir is disposed so as to at least partially surround the central post and abut the mouthpiece.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the inner seal is further configured to prevent fluid from traveling between the mouthpiece and the central post.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the outer seal is further configured to prevent fluid from traveling between the mouthpiece and the reservoir.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the central post further comprises a heating element connected to the reservoir and in communication with an interior of the reservoir.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the heating element comprises a fluid impermeable barrier configured to prevent the passage of fluid between the interior surface of the central post and the interior of the reservoir.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 5, the mouthpiece further comprising a recessed portion proximate to the ingress, configured to rest within the reservoir.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the recess is disposed on the recessed portion.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the central member further comprises a threaded section proximate to the bottom end.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 1, the mouthpiece further comprising an inner metal structure which forms the periphery of the ingress.
The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 12, the inner metal structure being attached to the remainder of the mouthpiece via an adhesive.