WO2024047072A1

WO2024047072A1 - Disposable tank electronic cigarette

Info

Publication number: WO2024047072A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/073732
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bo EKBERG
Original assignee: Cue Vapor Ltd.
Priority date: 2022-08-30
Filing date: 2023-08-29
Publication date: 2024-03-07

Abstract

A disposable tank for a vaping device comprises a liquid chamber, an outer wall including an air inlet and a mouthpiece, an atomizer for vaporizing a liquid within the chamber. A seal assembly includes a plurality of seal members enclosing a lower end of the chamber, and is disposed within a lower rim of the outer wall. An upper end of a vapor tube may be attached with the mouthpiece, a lower end of the vapor tube coupled with at least one of a plurality of seal members of the seal assembly, and a central portion of the vapor tube extends through the liquid chamber. The air inlet may be above the atomizer and an air flow path from the air inlet to the mouthpiece may extend below the atomizer before extending upwards to the mouthpiece such that a portion of the air flow path extends below the atomizer.

Description

DISPOSABLE TANK ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/373,928 filed on August 30, 2022, and entitled “DISPOSABLE TANK ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE”. The entire contents of the above-referenced application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates generally to an electronic cigarette with a disposable tank.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Recently, electronic cigarettes have become popular as it provides an alternative to tobacco and cigar smoking. An electronic cigarette is a device that contains liquid containing nicotine that is then vaporized by the electronic cigarette to allow the user to have the sensation of smoking and address their nicotine cravings without the other harmful side effects of smoking a combustible cigarette or cigar.

[0004] Most electronic cigarettes sold today have a tank where the user can manually refill the liquid in the tank. The liquid for the electronic cigarette is commonly known as eLiquid or a nicotine containing liquid and contains nicotine and may also contain other ingredients including flavoring or other components. The manual filling of the liquid into the tank is messy and puts the user in contact with the messy/sticky, nicotine- containing eLiquid. While the eLiquid is not toxic at the normal level of exposure, a user must go undergo this manual refilling process frequently to use what is known as an “opentank” system. This manual refilling process invariably leaves residue on the fingers of the user and in the various tanks and battery systems that are part of the open-tank systems.

[0005] With these open-tank systems, the replacement of the atomizers (wicks and coils) when they burn out (about once per week) is complicated and requires practice or the assistance of a specialist. Further, for open-tank systems that have a tubular design (“tubular device designs”), the tubular device designs are clumsy, roll off surfaces they are placed on and are not easily pocketable.

[0006] Most of these open-tank systems use an industry standard 510 connection to connect the tank containing the liquid to the mouthpiece. The standard 510 connection is a weak-point for attachment of tanks to the battery units. Furthermore, attaching the tank by screwing the tank onto the rest of the device is not the most efficient attachment method and the connection is easily broken if a user has a device in their pocket and sits on it, for example. In addition, this connection may leak liquid which can cause a significant mess such as when the electronic cigarette is stored in a bag during airline travel or when the electronic cigarette is being carried by the user.

[0007] In addition, the swapping of flavors of the eLiquid for open tank systems is difficult. Specifically, since a tank can only hold one flavored liquid at a time, a user must have several costly tanks to swap flavors or the user must dump out the old liquid, wash and clean the tank and then re-fill it. This means that being able to use various flavored eLiquids in an open-tank system is either costly or messy and time-consuming.

[0008] Some systems use a custom bottle that attaches to the bottom of the battery unit to avoid exposure by the user to the eLiquid. However, while this design makes it easier to swap flavors, these systems still require the user to manually replace atomizers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Various examples are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the examples. Various features of different disclosed examples can be combined to form additional examples, which are part of this disclosure.

[0010] Figure 1 A is a first perspective view of an embodiment of a disposable tank electronic cigarette;

[0011] Figure IB is a first perspective view of the embodiment of the disposable tank electronic cigarette;

[0012] Figure 2A is a first side view of the embodiment of the electronic cigarette;

[0013] Figure 2B is a second side view of the embodiment of the electronic cigarette;

[0014] Figure 2C is a third side view of the embodiment of the electronic cigarette;

[0015] Figure 3 A is a top view of the embodiment of the electronic cigarette;

[0016] Figure 3B is a bottom view of the embodiment of the electronic cigarette;

[0017] Figure 4 is a first exploded view of the embodiment of the electronic cigarette; [0018] Figure 5 is a second exploded view of the embodiment of the electronic cigarette;

[0019] Figure 6 is a third exploded view of the embodiment of the electronic cigarette;

[0020] Figure 7A is a perspective view of a bottom seal member of the electronic cigarette;

[0021] Figure 7B is a top view of the bottom seal member of the electronic cigarette;

[0022] Figure 7C is a first side view of the bottom seal member of the electronic cigarette;

[0023] Figure 7D is a second side view of the bottom seal member of the electronic cigarette;

[0024] Figure 8A is an exploded view of a seal assembly of the electronic cigarette;

[0025] Figure 8B is a perspective view of the seal assembly of the electronic cigarette;

[0026] Figure 9A is a first side view of a disposable tank of the electronic cigarette;

[0027] Figure 9B is a section view of the disposable tank;

[0028] Figure 10 is the section view of Figure 9B with an air flow path through the disposable tank;

[0029] Figure 11 A is a top view of the electronic cigarette;

[0030] Figure 1 IB is a section view of the disposable tank;

[0031] Figure 11C is a detail of the section view of the disposable tank;

[0032] Figure 12A is a perspective view of the electronic cigarette with a cross- sectional cutout;

[0033] Figure 12B is a detail view of Figure 12A;

[0034] Figure 13 A shows a clip assembly of the electronic cigarette;

[0035] Figure 13B shows assembly of the disposable tank into a cavity of the electronic cigarette;

[0036] Figure 13C shows the disposable tank disposed within the cavity of the electronic cigarette;

[0037] Figure 14A shows a cross section of the disposable tank being inserted within the cavity of the electronic cigarette; [0038] Figure 14B shows a detail of Figure 14A;

[0039] Figure 15A shows assembly of the disposable tank within the cavity of the electronic cigarette in cross section;

[0040] Figure 15B shows a detail of Figure 15 A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The various features and advantages of the systems, devices, and methods of the technology described herein will become more fully apparent from the following description of the examples illustrated in the figures. These examples are intended to illustrate the principles of this disclosure, and this disclosure should not be limited to merely the illustrated examples. The features of the illustrated examples can be modified, combined, removed, and/or substituted as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the principles disclosed herein.

[0042] The disclosure is particularly applicable to an electronic cigarette device 100 having a disposable tank 104 with the design set forth below and it is in this context that the disclosure will be described. It will be appreciated, however, that the device, method of manufacture and method of use has greater utility since the device may have other configurations that are within the scope of the disclosure, other methods for operations that are within the scope of the disclosure and the like so that the embodiments described below are merely illustrative of the teachings of the disclosure.

[0043] The electronic cigarette device 100 may have one or more atomizers (e.g., wicks and heating element) built into a disposable tank 104 with the eLiquid completely sealed out of the reach of the user. The device 100 may have a housing 102 that is made of an appropriate material like plastic or metal. The housing may house various components of the device 100. The housing 102 may be, for example, the size that is smaller than 4” by 3” by 1”.

[0044] A disposable tank 104 may be removable attached to the housing. The disposable tank 104 may be made of the same material as the housing. The disposable tank 104 may store eLiquid that is vaporized by the device 100 as described below. The disposable tank 104 may be disposable and replaceable (e.g., when there the eLiquid within the tank 104 is exhausted or the user wants to change the type of eLiquid being vaporized). The tank 104 may include the atomizing elements built therein. Furthermore, the tank 104 may have various shapes and configurations. For the embodiment shown in Figures 1A- 1B, the tank may have a hollow rectangular shape so that it can fit into a cavity of the housing 102 and hold the eLiquid. [0045] The disposable tank 104 may be a closed (fully sealed) tank system in which the eLiquid is stored in a separate compartment from the housing 102 until the disposable tank 104 is connected to the housing 102 that includes the other components of the device 100. The closed tank system means that the eLiquid stays separate from the heating element of the device 100 during transport. Furthermore, when the disposable tank 104 is removed from the housing 102, the disposable tank 104 reseals itself so that the liquid does not leak. The tank 104 may have a mouthpiece portion 106 that may be located at various locations on the tank. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1A-1B, the mouthpiece is located on a top of the tank 104. The tank 104 can include an air inlet 108. Ambient air can be drawn in through the air inlet 108, pass along an air flow path through the tank 104 and exit through the mouthpiece 106. The air inlet 108 can be located in a sidewall of the tank 104. Additional air inlets may also be included, such as on a bottom surface of the tank 104.

[0046] The housing 102 may have a user interface, such as a button, that permits the user to turn on or off the device 100. In addition, the user interface may be depressed/activated to cause the atomizer element to activate and vaporize some of the eLiquid so that the user can inhale/suck in the vaporized eLiquid through the mouthpiece 106. The user interface, can be located along the housing 102. Alternatively, the device 100 does not include a user interface (e.g., button) and instead includes one or more pressure sensors that detect when a user draws on the mouthpiece 106 and activates housing 102 to provide power to the atomizer element. The power can be provided at a preset and/or adjustable amount. Alternatively, the power can be provided on-demand as the pressure sensor is triggered.

[0047] The device 100 may also have a one or more indicator lights 109 or display screen that may display various data about the device 100. For example, in one embodiment, the indicator lights 109 may display the current power supply of the battery (e.g., voltage). In another example, in one embodiment, the display may display the current wattage of the power being applied to the atomizer to vaporize the eLiquid and the battery power remaining for the device 100. The display may be located on a side of the housing 102, but the display 110 may also be located on other parts of the housing. The housing may also have a set of controls, such as buttons, that allow the user to adjust the power level of the device. The set of controls, when activated, send a signal to the device’s software to regulate how much power flows to the tank’s coil next time that an inhalation is detected by the pressure sensors. [0048] With reference to Figures 4-5, the disposable tank 104 of the electronic cigarette can include an outer wall 210. The outer wall 210 can include a first end including a mouthpiece 106 and a second end including a lower rim 212. The outer wall 210 can surround a liquid chamber for containing an eLiquid. An air inlet 108 can provide an air flow path through the outer wall 210. The disposable tank 104 can include one or more removable stoppers (e.g., 106a, 108a) for closing the air inlet 108 and/or the mouthpiece 106. The stoppers can prevent unwanted foreign matter from entering the air inlets or mouthpiece when not in use, such as during shipping or storage.

[0049] The disposable tank 104 can include an atomizer assembly 220. The atomizer assembly 220 can include one or a plurality of seal members that enclose the lower rim 212 and prevent leakage of liquid from the liquid chamber. The seal members can include a first seal member 230, a second seal member 240, a third seal member 250, a fourth seal member 260, and/or a fifth seal member 270. Each of the seal members can include a gasket, such as gaskets 231, 241, 251, 261 and/or 271, disposed around an outer periphery thereof. The gaskets can be sealed with the outer wall 210 and/or another seal member. The seal members can include or recesses or concave regions therein for receiving other seal members in a nested configuration. As described further below, the seal members can define an air flow path from the air inlet 108 to the mouthpiece 106. As described further below, the seal members can define one or more wells for passage of liquid from the liquid chamber to an atomizer element 280. The atomizer element 280 can comprise a ceramic material. The ceramic material can be microporous, such as the ceramic atomizing core products used in pKERA™ products by JWEI Group. The atomizer element 280 can be heated by an electrical current to vaporize liquid contained therein. The vaporized liquid can seep through the material of the atomizer element 280, such as through the sides and/or bottom surface. The vaporize liquid can escape into the air flow path through the tank 104 to be emitted at the mouthpiece 106. Alternatively, the atomizer element 280 can comprise an ultrasonic atomizer or other type of atomizer.

[0050] The disposable tank 104 can include a set of electrodes 291, 292. Upper ends of the electrodes 291, 292 can contact the atomizer 280 and serve as positive and negative electrical conduits. The electrodes 291, 292 can contact with a lower surface of the atomizer 280 including electrical contact points. Lower ends of the electrodes 291, 292 can extend through one or more of the seal members and be accessible from outside the disposable tank 104. [0051] With reference to Figure 6, the housing 102 can include a frame assembly including an outer frame 601, a first inner frame 602, a battery unit 603, a second inner frame 604 a cover 605, and/or an electrical control board 606. The frame assembly can be assembled using conventional techniques such as mechanical fasteners and/or adhesives. The housing 102 can further include a pressure sensor 620. The pressure sensor 620 can detect a lower pressure created by a user drawing air through the mouthpiece 106. The housing 102 can further include a cavity assembly 610. The cavity assembly 610 can include a spring clip 611. The cavity assembly 10 can include an intermediate member

612. The cavity assembly 610 can be disposed within the receiving cavity for the tank 104 found on the housing 102. The cavity assembly 610 can further include power conduits

613, 614. The power conduits 613, 614 can be positioned to contact the respective electrodes 291, 292 when assembled with the housing 102.

[0052] With reference to Figures 7A-D, the fourth seal member 260 can include a lower wall 303 and an upper wall 305. The lower wall 303 can include a flange that extends about a periphery of the upper wall 305. The upper wall 305 can be inset from the flange. The gasket 261 can be on an outer face of the upper wall 305. The lower wall 303 can include apertures 325, 327 for receiving the electrodes 291, 292 therethrough. The upper wall 305 can include opposite connection tabs 322 that extend outwardly from opposite sides of the upper wall 305. The upper wall 305 can include opposite apertures 321 on opposite sides of the upper wall 305. The upper wall 305 can include one or more notches 306 about an upper rim thereof.

[0053] With reference to Figures 8A-B, the second seal member 240 can include the gasket 241 that extends about an upper wall 350. An upper surface of the second seal member 240 can include one or more wells 358, 359 for passage of a liquid therethrough. The wells 358, 359 can terminate at the atomizer 280. The upper surface of the second seal member 240 can include an air passage aperture 360. The aperture 360 can be located between the wells 358, 359. The aperture 360 can be in fluid communication with the atomizer 280. The upper wall 350 can include one or more cutaway portions 357 that define a portion of the air flow path. The upper wall 350 can include one or more wedge members 355 on either sides of the cutaway portions 357. The upper wall 350 can include opposite tabs 361. The second seal member 240 can include an interior space or concavity for receiving the atomizer 280 and/or the fifth seal member 270.

[0054] The fifth seal member 270 can include the gasket 271 that extends about an upper wall 334 that extends from a base 333 with a flanged portion. An upper surface of the fifth seal member 270 can include one or more wells 336, 337 therethrough. The wells 336, 337 can terminate at the atomizer 280. The upper wall 334 can include one or more cutouts 338 that extend from the base 333. The cutouts 338 can align with the atomizer 280, as described further below.

[0055] The fifth seal member can be received within a cavity of the second seal member. The gaskets 271 can seal against an inner surface of the cavity. The cutouts 338 can align with the cutaway portions 357. The wells 336, 337 can align with the wells 358, 359 for passage of a liquid therethrough. The base 333 of the fifth seal member 270 can be received within a concave space of the upper wall 305 of the second seal member 240. A lower portion of the upper wall 350 of the second seal member 240 can be received within the upper wall 305 of the fourth seal member 260. The tabs 361 can engage the apertures 321 to secure together the second and fourth seal members. The wedge members 355 can be received within notches in the upper wall 305 of the fourth seal member 260.

[0056] With reference to Figures 9A-B, the tank 104 can include an inner wall 213. The inner wall 213 can be aligned with the air inlet 108. The inner wall 213 can define an upper portion of the air passage between the outer wall 210 and the inner wall 213. The inner wall 213 can at least partially define the liquid chamber 214. The tank 104 can include a vapor tube 215. An upper end of the vapor tube 215 can be connected with the mouthpiece 106. The upper end of the vapor tube 215 can be formed integrally with the material of the outer wall 210. The vapor tube 215 can extend through the liquid chamber 214. Liquid within the liquid chamber can extend around all sides of the vapor tube 215 for at least a portion thereof. The air flow path can extend through the vapor tube 215. A lower end 215a of the vapor tube can be connected with the first seal member 230. The lower end 215a can be tapered to be received within an air passage aperture 460 thereof. The air inlet 108 can be located above the lower end of the vapor tube and below the mouthpiece 106. The upper end can be a proximal end. The lower end can be a distal end.

[0057] The first seal member 230 can include the gasket 231 that extends about an upper wall 405. The upper wall 405 can be received within the lower rim 212. The gasket 231 can seal against an inner surface of the outer wall 210 and/or inner wall 213. The upper wall 405 can extend from a base 403. An upper surface of the first seal member 230 can include one or more wells 458, 459 for passage of a liquid therethrough. The wells 458, 459 can be in fluid communication with the liquid chamber 214. The wells 458, 459 can align with the wells 358, 359 and 336, 337 and terminate at the atomizer 280. The upper surface of the first seal member 230 can include an air passage aperture 460. The aperture 460 can include an inner circumferential wall received within the aperture 360. The aperture 460 can be located between the wells 458, 459. The aperture 460 can be in fluid communication with the atomizer 280 and the aperture 360. A portion of the base 403 can align with the air flow path formed between the inner wall 213 and the outer wall 210. The portion of the base 403 can include apertures 413 therethrough for passage of air along the air flow path.

[0058] The upper wall 350 of the second seal member 240 can be received within the upper wall 405 of the first seal member 230. The gasket 241 extending about the upper wall 350 can engage with an inner surface of the first seal member 230 and seal therewith to prevent the outflow of liquid and/or air. The fifth seal member 270 can abut the transverse wall 370. The transverse wall 370 can optionally include one or more aperture for passage of vapor therethrough into the air flow path aligned with the vapor tube 215. The transverse wall can align with an axis of the vapor tube 215.

[0059] The third seal member 250 can be disposed within the fourth seal member 260. The third seal member 250 can include a bottom surface with electrode apertures 491, 492 for receiving the electrodes 291, 292. An air aperture 490 can extend through the third seal member 250. The air aperture 290 can provide a portion of the air flow path, as shown in Figure 10.

[0060] The fourth seal member 260 can be disposed within the outer wall 210. The base 303 can abut the lower rim 212. The upper wall 305 can be received within the outer wall 210 with the gaskets 261 engaged with an inner surface of the outer wall 210. The tabs 322 can engage within corresponding cavities in the outer wall 210 to secure the fourth seal member 260 in place. The base 303 can include an aperture 264. The aperture 264 can provide for a limited entrance of ambient air in the flow path through the aperture of the base 303. The aperture 264 can be a secondary air inlet (with the air inlet 108 as the primary air inlet in terms of volume). The pressure sensor 620 can be aligned with or in fluid communication with the aperture 264. The fourth seal member 260 can include a plug 262. The plug 262 can partially fill an aperture in the base 303.

[0061] The atomizer 280 can include a lower wall 281 and an outer wall 282. Together, the outer wall 282 and the lower wall 281 can define a concave space within which a liquid can be gathered. Heating of the atomizer 280 can vaporize the liquid contained within the concave space. An upper surface 283 of the atomizer 280 can include wells 284, 285. The wells 284, 285 can be aligned with the respective wells of the first, second, and fifth seal members 230, 240, and 270. When liquid within the atomizer 280 is vaporized, the vapor can enter the air flow path by seepage through the pores of the porous ceramic material. Alternatively, the vapor can pass between the atomizer 280 and the fifth seal member 270. In one implementation, the vapor can pass between an inner surface of the upper wall 334 and the outer wall 282 of the atomizer.

[0062] The air flow path can begin at the air inlet 108. The air flow path can extend from the air inlet 108 to the mouthpiece 106. The air flow path can extend between the inner wall 213 and outer wall 210. The air flow path can then pass through a series of passages and apertures within the one or more seal members. The air flow path can extend through the apertures 413 of the first seal member 230. The air flow path can extend around an outer side of the second seal member 240. The air flow path can extend within the fourth seal member 260 through an interface of the second seal member 240 with the fourth seal member 260. Alternatively, the second flow path can include one or more apertures for passage of the air flow path. The air flow path can extend through an interior region of the fourth seal member 260. The air flow path can extend below the third seal member 250. The air flow path can extend through the aperture 490 of the third seal member. Between the aperture 490 and the vapor tube 215, the air flow path can split into two branches, as shown in Figure 11C. The two branches can pass along opposite sides of the atomizer 280. The air flow path can pass along an exposed lower surface of the atomizer 280. As the atomizer vaporizes liquid, the escaping vapor can pass through the exposed sides and bottom of the atomizer and pass into the air flow path. Advantageously, the air flow path can come from below the atomizer with has a large surface area on the bottom surface thereof. The branches of the air flow path can recombine to enter the vapor tube 215. The air flow path can extend through air passage apertures 360 and 460 and into the vapor tube 215 to the mouthpiece 206. At least some air can enter the air flow path from the aperture 264.

[0063] As shown in Figures 13A-15B, the disposable tank 104 can be installed in the housing 102 by being inserted at an oblique angle into the cavity 610. The intermediate member 612 of the cavity assembly 610 can include a shoulder region 612a. The shoulder region 612a can interface with a lip 263 on a bottom of the fourth seal member 260 of the disposable tank 104 when inserted within the cavity 610. Once the lip 263 engages the should region 612a, the tank 104 can be rotated into contact with a bottom of the cavity (e.g., the intermediate member 612). The spring clip 611 can engage with a shoulder 211 on the tank 104. The shoulder 211 can be on an opposite side of the tank 104 as the lip 263. The biased elbow of the spring clip 611 may create a friction fit to hold the disposable tank 104 in the cavity 630 of the housing 102 at the shoulder 211. However, the friction fit may be overcome by a user applying force to remove the disposable tank 104 in a reverse motion. According to one method for inserting a disposable tank onto the electronic cigarette may include a user obtaining a disposable tank and removing any packaging. The user may then place the disposable tank into the tank receptacle 630 of the housing. For example, the user may hook the lip 263 of the tank 104 on the shoulder region 612a and snap the disposable tank into place. Alternatively, the user can drop the disposable tank straight onto the tank connector (the one or more metal posts, the bottom portion and the strip are installed into the housing 102) and snaps the disposable tank into place. In each case, the disposable tank 104 may be held in place by the appropriate level of force from the spring clip 611 and the shoulder 211. A user applying a lateral force to the disposable tank away from the housing can overcome the force from the spring clip 611 and the shoulder 211. Therefore, the disposable tank maybe released.

CERTAIN TERMINOLOGY

[0064] Terms of orientation used herein, such as “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “proximal,” “distal,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” and “end,” are used in the context of the illustrated example. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to the illustrated orientation. Indeed, other orientations are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. Terms relating to circular shapes as used herein, such as diameter or radius, should be understood not to require perfect circular structures, but rather should be applied to any suitable structure with a cross-sectional region that can be measured from side-to- side. Terms relating to shapes generally, such as “circular,” “cylindrical,” “semi-circular,” or “semi-cylindrical” or any related or similar terms, are not required to conform strictly to the mathematical definitions of circles or cylinders or other structures but can encompass structures that are reasonably close approximations.

[0065] Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain examples include or do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more examples.

[0066] Conjunctive language, such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain examples require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0067] The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, in some examples, as the context may dictate, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially,” may refer to an amount that is within less than or equal to 10% of the stated amount. The term “generally” as used herein represents a value, amount, or characteristic that predominantly includes or tends toward a particular value, amount, or characteristic. As an example, in certain examples, as the context may dictate, the term “generally parallel” can refer to something that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 20 degrees. All ranges are inclusive of endpoints.

SUMMARY

[0068] Several illustrative examples of e-cigarettes have been disclosed. Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain illustrative examples and uses, other examples and other uses, including examples and uses which do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Components, elements, features, acts, or steps can be arranged or performed differently than described and components, elements, features, acts, or steps can be combined, merged, added, or left out in various examples. All possible combinations and subcombinations of elements and components described herein are intended to be included in this disclosure. No single feature or group of features is necessary or indispensable.

[0069] Certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0070] Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one example in this disclosure can be combined or used with (or instead of) any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different example or flowchart. The examples described herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other. Combinations, variations, and some implementations of the disclosed features are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0071] While operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Additionally, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in some implementations. Also, the separation of various components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. Additionally, some implementations are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0072] Further, while illustrative examples have been described, any examples having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, and/or combinations are also within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, although certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein, not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular example. For example, some examples within the scope of this disclosure achieve one advantage, or a group of advantages, as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages taught or suggested herein. Further, some examples may achieve different advantages than those taught or suggested herein.

[0073] Some examples have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. The figures are drawn and/or shown to scale, but such scale should not be limiting, since dimensions and proportions other than what are shown are contemplated and are within the scope of the disclosed invention. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with various examples can be used in all other examples set forth herein. Additionally, any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps. [0074] For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and features of the inventions have been described herein. Not all, or any such advantages are necessarily achieved in accordance with any particular example of the inventions disclosed herein. No aspects of this disclosure are essential or indispensable. In many examples, the devices, systems, and methods may be configured differently than illustrated in the figures or description herein. For example, various functionalities provided by the illustrated modules can be combined, rearranged, added, or deleted. In some implementations, additional or different processors or modules may perform some or all of the functionalities described with reference to the examples described and illustrated in the figures. Many implementation variations are possible. Any of the features, structures, steps, or processes disclosed in this specification can be included in any example.

[0075] In summary, various examples of e-cigarettes and related methods have been disclosed. This disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed examples to other alternative examples and/or other uses of the examples, as well as to certain modifications and equivalents thereof. Moreover, this disclosure expressly contemplates that various features and aspects of the disclosed examples can be combined with, or substituted for, one another. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed examples described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A disposable tank for a vaping device, comprising: a liquid chamber; an outer wall including an air inlet and a mouthpiece; an atomizer configured to vaporize a liquid contained within the liquid chamber; and a seal assembly including a plurality of seal members enclosing a lower end of the liquid chamber, the seal assembly disposed within a lower rim of the outer wall; wherein an upper end of a vapor tube is attached with the mouthpiece, a lower end of the vapor tube is coupled with at least one of a plurality of seal members of the seal assembly, and a central portion of the vapor tube extends through the liquid chamber.

2. The disposable tank of any of claim 1, wherein an air flow path extends from the air inlet through the seal assembly, and through the vapor tube to the mouthpiece.

3. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein the atomizer is disposed along the air flow path such that vapor emitted from the atomizer can enter the air flow path.

4. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein the atomizer is disposed within the seal assembly.

5. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein the seal assembly includes at least one liquid well providing fluid communication between the liquid chamber and the atomizer.

6. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein the central portion of the vapor tube between the first and second ends is surrounded by liquid within the liquid chamber.

7. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein the air inlet is above the lower end of the vapor tube and below the mouthpiece.

8. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein the air inlet is above the atomizer and the air flow path extends below the atomizer before extending upwards to the mouthpiece.

9. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein a portion of the air flow path extends below the atomizer.

10. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, further comprising a secondary air inlet aligned with a pressure sensor in a reusable housing, the pressure sensor configured to initiate a delivery of power to the atomizer.

11. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, further comprising an inner wall separating the air flow path adjacent to the air inlet from the liquid chamber.

12. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein a first seal member of the plurality of seal members includes a first aperture for receiving the lower end of the vapor tube, a first aperture for the air flow path, and two liquid wells in communication with the liquid chamber on opposite sides of the first aperture.

13. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein a second seal member includes a second aperture that aligns with the first aperture, two liquid wells in communication with the liquid chamber on opposite sides of the second aperture, and an interior chamber for receiving the atomizer.

14. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein a third seal member includes a third aperture along the air flow path and first and second electrode apertures with first and second electrodes disposed therein, the electrodes contacting the atomizer.

15. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein a fourth seal member includes a shoulder for clipping within a reusable base of the vaping device, a secondary air inlet in fluid communication with the air flow path, and first and second electrical post apertures with the first and second electrodes disposed therein and accessible from the reusable base.

16. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein a fifth seal member includes a two liquid well in fluid communication with the liquid chamber and the atomizer is disposed within an interior cavity of the fifth seal member with a bottom surface and portions of a side surface of the atomizer exposed to the air flow path.

17. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein an axis of the vapor tube is aligned with a lateral wall of the second seal member forming the interior chamber and the air flow path passes through the third aperture, splits into two branches that extend past two opposite side surfaces of the atomizer and recombine into the air flow path at the lower end of the vapor tube.

18. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein an axis of the vapor tube is aligned with a lateral wall of the second seal member forming the interior chamber.

19. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein the second seal member is nested within the first seal member, the fifth seal member is nested within the second seal member, the second and third seal members are nested within the fourth seal member, and the fourth seal member is nested within the lower rim of the outer wall.

20. The disposable tank of any of the above claims, wherein one or more pairs of corresponding apertures and tabs of the second seal member and the fourth seal member are engaged and one or more pairs of corresponding apertures and tabs of the fourth seal member and the outer wall are engaged.

21. A disposable tank for a vaping device, comprising: a liquid chamber; an outer wall including an air inlet and a mouthpiece; an atomizer configured to vaporize a liquid contained within the liquid chamber, the atomizer located below the liquid chamber; a seal assembly including a plurality of seal members enclosing a lower end of the liquid chamber, the seal assembly disposed within a lower rim of the outer wall; wherein the air inlet is above the atomizer and an air flow path from the air inlet to the mouthpiece extends below the atomizer before extending upwards to the mouthpiece such that a portion of the air flow path extends below the atomizer.

22. The disposable tank of claim 21, wherein the atomizer is disposed along the air flow path such that vapor emitted from the atomizer can enter the air flow path.

23. The disposable tank of claim 21 or 22, wherein the atomizer is disposed within the seal assembly.

24. The disposable tank of claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein the seal assembly includes at least one liquid well providing fluid communication between the liquid chamber and the atomizer.

25. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-24, wherein the central portion of the vapor tube between the first and second ends is surrounded by liquid within the liquid chamber.

26. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-25, wherein a lower end of a vapor tube couples with the seal assembly and an upper end of the vapor tube attaches with the mouthpiece.

27. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-26, wherein the air inlet is above the lower end of the vapor tube and below the mouthpiece.

28. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-27, further comprising a secondary air inlet aligned with a pressure sensor in a reusable housing, the pressure sensor configured to initiate a delivery of power to the atomizer.

29. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-28, further comprising an inner wall separating the air flow path adjacent to the air inlet from the liquid chamber.

30. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-29, wherein a first seal member of the plurality of seal members includes a first aperture for receiving the lower end of the vapor tube, a first aperture for the air flow path, and two liquid wells in communication with the liquid chamber on opposite sides of the first aperture.

31. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-30, wherein a second seal member includes a second aperture that aligns with the first aperture, two liquid wells in communication with the liquid chamber on opposite sides of the second aperture, and an interior chamber for receiving the atomizer.

32. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-31, wherein a third seal member includes a third aperture along the air flow path and first and second electrode apertures with first and second electrodes disposed therein, the electrodes contacting the atomizer.

33. The disposable tank of any of the claims 21-32, wherein a fourth seal member includes a shoulder for clipping within a reusable base of the vaping device, a secondary air inlet in fluid communication with the air flow path, and first and second electrical post apertures with the first and second electrodes disposed therein and accessible from the reusable base.

34. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-33, wherein a fifth seal member includes a two liquid well in fluid communication with the liquid chamber and the atomizer is disposed within an interior cavity of the fifth seal member with a bottom surface and portions of a side surface of the atomizer exposed to the air flow path.

35. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-34, wherein an axis of the vapor tube is aligned with a lateral wall of the second seal member forming the interior chamber and the air flow path passes through the third aperture, splits into two branches that extend past two opposite side surfaces of the atomizer and recombine into the air flow path at the lower end of the vapor tube.

36. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-35, wherein an axis of the vapor tube is aligned with a lateral wall of the second seal member forming the interior chamber.

37. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-36, wherein the second seal member is nested within the first seal member, the fifth seal member is nested within the second seal member, the second and third seal members are nested within the fourth seal member, and the fourth seal member is nested within the lower rim of the outer wall.

38. The disposable tank of any of claims 21-37, wherein one or more pairs of corresponding apertures and tabs of the second seal member and the fourth seal member are engaged and one or more pairs of corresponding apertures and tabs of the fourth seal member and the outer wall are engaged.

39. A vaping device, comprising: a reusable housing containing a battery and including a tank receptacle with a pressure sensor; a disposable tank according to any of claims 3 to 39.

40. A vaping device including the disposable tank of any of claims 3 to 39, the vaping device comprising: a battery with electrical contacts configured to contact electrodes of the disposable tank to deliver power to the atomizer thereof; and a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure drop from the passage of air along the air flow path and trigger delivery of power from the battery to the atomizer.

41. A vaping device, comprising: a reusable housing containing a battery and including a tank receptacle with a pressure sensor; a disposable tank, comprising: an outer wall with a first end including a mouthpiece and a second end including a lower rim; a liquid chamber; an air inlet through the outer wall; an inner wall separating the liquid chamber from an air flow path in fluid communication with the air inlet; a vapor tube extending through the liquid chamber, the vapor tube including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled with the mouthpiece and in fluid communication with the air flow path; an atomizer assembly disposed within the lower rim, comprising: a first seal member disposed within the outer wall and enclosing a bottom of the liquid chamber, comprising: a first gasket disposed around an outer periphery and seals with an inner surface of the outer wall and the inner wall; a first air passage through a first upper surface, the distal end of the vapor tube received within the first air passage, the first air passage is in fluid communication with the air flow path; a first well through the upper surface, the first well in fluid communication with the liquid chamber; a second seal member disposed at least partially within the first seal member, comprising: a second gasket disposed around an outer periphery and seal with an inner surface of the first seal member; a second air passage through a second upper surface, the second air passage in fluid communication with the air flow path; a second well through the upper surface, the second well in fluid communication with the liquid chamber; a third seal member, comprising: first and second electrode apertures; and a third air passage in fluid communication with the air flow path; a fourth seal member, comprising: a fourth gasket disposed around an outer periphery and seal with the inner surface of the outer wall; a lower wall, including first and second electrode apertures and a secondary air inlet in fluid communication with the air flow path and the pressure sensor; a fifth seal member disposed within a well receptacle of the second seal member, comprising: a fifth gasket disposed around an outer periphery and seal with an inner surface of the well receptacle of the second seal member; and a fifth well in fluid communication with the liquid chamber; and an atomizer disposed within the fifth seal member, the atomizer comprising: a concave region in fluid communication with the liquid chamber; a base with first and second electrical contacts; and an upper wall disposed about the concave region; first and second electrical contacts disposed in the respective first and second electrode apertures both the third and fourth seal members and in electrical contact with the atomizer; wherein drawing air along the air flow path at the mouthpiece through the air inlet and the secondary air inlet triggers the pressure sensor can causes the reusable housing to deliver power from the battery to the atomizer; wherein the atomizer is configured to vaporize a liquid from the liquid chamber to form a vapor that escapes into the air flow path and is drawn to the mouthpiece; and wherein a middle portion of the vapor tube between the first and second ends is surrounded by the liquid chamber, the air inlet is above the lower end of the vapor tube and below the mouthpiece, and the air flow path passes below the atomizer.