E-CIGARETTE PERSONAL VAPORIZER

• US 20150359266A1
• Filed: 08/14/2015
• Published: 12/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AYR Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Beyond Twenty Ltd.
• Inventors: MEMARI, Kaveh, BENNETT, Adrian, MURISON, Ian, MARSH, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US14/826,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20150359266A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 15/015 with means for refilling of liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/40 Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/48 Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/485 Valves; Apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/50 Control or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/60 Devices with integrated user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/90 Arrangements or methods specially adapted for charging batteries thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/95 structurally associated with cases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/04 Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 37/06 by pistons or pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/005 Side walls formed with an aperture or a movable portion arranged to allow removal or insertion of contents B65D5/16, B65D7/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/00 Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2023/0025 on containers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 : with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/00 : dummy group
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 : dummy group

Abstract

A user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge adapted to be inserted into or attached to a portable, personal storage and carrying case for an e-liquid e-cigarette PV. The combination of cartridge and case forms in normal use a portable, personal device for the storage and carrying of the PV and its re-filling with e-liquid.

Claims

1. A user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge that in use transfers e-liquid from a parent e-liquid reservoir in the cartridge to a separate child e-liquid reservoir in an e-liquid e-cigarette PV, the separate child reservoir, when in use, being connected to, and delivering e-liquid to, an atomizer in the e-cigarette PV.

2. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the volume of the parent reservoir is at least three times greater than the volume of the child reservoir.

3. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge is not re-fellable in normal use and is a closed system.

4. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge is push-fit insertable and does not require any unscrewing of the e-cigarette PV.

5. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge includes or interacts with a fluid transfer system adapted to transfer e-liquid from the parent reservoir to the child reservoir.

6. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the fluid transfer system, for each activation, such as a pumping stroke, transfers an amount of e-liquid equivalent to a single cigarette.

7. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge includes a micro-pump to transfer e-liquid from the parent reservoir to the child reservoir.

8. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge is not part of a cartomiser or other unit that includes an atomizer.

9. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge engages with an e-liquid filling aperture positioned centrally along the long axis of the daughter reservoir to minimize any off-centre forces that could otherwise compromise e-liquid sealing.

10. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the fluid transfer system linking parent and child reservoirs includes a hollow tube or shaft that passes through a flexible seal that retains any drops of e-liquid.

11. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the fluid transfer system linking parent and child reservoirs includes a fluid trap and absorbent wicking to capture any fluid leakage.

12. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the child reservoir fills by moving relative to the parent reservoir to activate a pump or micro-pump.

13. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the child reservoir fills using a pump activated by being depressed and released.

14. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the child reservoir is in a device that can slide up and down relative to the parent reservoir.

15. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the child reservoir is filled from the parent reservoir until the pressure in the child reservoir equals the pressure in the parent reservoir.

16. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge is not substantially deformable in normal use.

17. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge includes an overflow channel that enables excess e-liquid that is pumped from the cartridge but is not stored in the child reservoir to be captured and returned to the parent reservoir.

18. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge is one of several cartridges that can be selected as desired by the user.

19. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge includes several compartments, each with a different e-liquid.

20. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge includes an RFID chip.

21. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge is removable and replaceable in normal use.

22. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the cartridge is adapted to detect or infer, or permit detection or inference, of the level or quantity of e-liquid in the cartridge to enable a signal to be sent indicating that a replacement cartridge is needed.

23. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 22 in which the signal is sent to a connected smartphone which in turn connects to an e-fulfillment platform.

24. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the parent reservoir contains nicotine equivalent to approximately one hundred cigarettes.

25. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the e-liquid includes nicotine and the PV is not a medicinal device but instead a device that in normal use replaces cigarettes, with the e-liquid being vapourised in the PV and the vapour inhaled to replicate or replace the experience of smoking a cigarette.

26. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the volume of the parent reservoir is no more than approximately 10 mL.

27. The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of claim 1 in which the volume of the child reservoir is no more than approximately 2 mL.

30. A portable personal e-cigarette personal vapourising system, the system including a user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge as defined in claim 1.

28. Method of replenishing e-liquid for an e-liquid personal vapouriser comprising the step of transferring e-liquid from a user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge to a child reservoir that, when in use, is connected to, and delivers e-liquid to, an atomizer in the e-cigarette PV.

29. Method for sending a signal relating to the status of a user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge for an e-cigarette personal vapouriser, the method including the steps of:

(a) transferring e-liquid from the user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge to a child reservoir that is connected to, and delivers e-liquid to, an atomizer in the e-cigarette PV;

(b) automatically sending a signal requesting a replacement for that user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge to an e-fulfilment platform, either directly or via a connected smartphone.