Inhaler component
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an inhaler component, the inhaler component including;
an electrical heater configured to evaporate liquid;
a capillary wick, the capillary wick and the electrical heater defining a compound structure configured to automatically supply liquid to the electrical heater;
a carrier supporting the compound structure and making electrical contact with the electrical heater, the carrier at least partially defining a portion of a capillary gap, the capillary gap in fluid communication with the wick and configured to automatically supply liquid to the compound structure; and
a liquid container, wherein a portion of a surface of the liquid container at least partially defines a portion of the capillary gap.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This disclosure relates to an inhaler component for the formation of a vapor-air mixture and/or a condensation aerosol by evaporation of a liquid material and optionally the condensation of the formed vapor. In one example, the inhaler component includes an electrical heater to evaporate liquid, a capillary wick that together with the electrical heater defines a compound structure that supplies liquid to the electrical heater, and a carrier supporting the compound structure. The carrier makes electrical contact with the electrical heater, and at least partially defines a portion of a capillary gap. The capillary gap is in fluid communication with the wick and automatically supplies liquid to the compound structure. Internal and external sides or faces of the carrier (relative to the compound structure) can define portions of the capillary gap.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
an inhaler component, the inhaler component including; an electrical heater configured to evaporate liquid; a capillary wick, the capillary wick and the electrical heater defining a compound structure configured to automatically supply liquid to the electrical heater; a carrier supporting the compound structure and making electrical contact with the electrical heater, the carrier at least partially defining a portion of a capillary gap, the capillary gap in fluid communication with the wick and configured to automatically supply liquid to the compound structure; and a liquid container, wherein a portion of a surface of the liquid container at least partially defines a portion of the capillary gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An inhaler component, comprising:
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a housing; an electrical heater configured to evaporate liquid; a capillary wick, the capillary wick and the electrical heater forming a compound structure configured to automatically supply liquid to the electrical heater; a carrier supporting the compound structure and making electrical contact with the electrical heater, the carrier at least partially defining a portion of a capillary gap and configured to automatically supply liquid to the compound structure via a portion of the capillary wick that extends into the capillary gap; and a liquid container, wherein a portion of a surface of the liquid container at least partially defines a portion of the capillary gap. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification