CHILD RESISTANT VAPING DEVICE

Abstract

A child-resistant vaping system mouthpiece can include at least one child-resistant aperture in the sidewall of the mouthpiece between the proximal end and the distal end. The child-resistant aperture can limit a vapor flow through the central lumen of the mouthpiece when the child-resistant aperture is not covered. By limiting the flow through the central lumen, the device's heating element may not be actuated. Limited central lumen flow may not activate a flow sensor or microphone in communication with the heating element of the vaping system.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices using liquid inhalable precursors (e.g., oils and/or fluids). More specifically, and without limitation, the present disclosure relates to devices and mouthpieces for devices for vaping which improve the safety of use of such devices.

BACKGROUND

E-vaping devices, also referred to herein as vaping devices or EVDs, may be used for portable vaping. A vaping device may vaporize a pre-vapor formulation, such as an oil or fluid that may or may not contain one or more cannabinoids, to form a vapor. The vaping device may include a reservoir that holds the pre-vapor formulation and a heating element that vaporizes the pre-vapor formulation by applying heat to at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation. Vaping devices are often sold and shipped directly to local oil manufacturers, and then filled with a pre-vapor formulation, and capped by the local oil manufacturers.

Because EVDs typically use pre-vaping formulations that can contain nicotine and other regulated substances, child-resistant packaging is often used. Users often prefer additional child-resistant features and regulations and/or laws may require them.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

According to the present disclosure, a mouthpiece for a vaping device can include a proximal end and a distal end, with a sidewall extending from the proximal to the distal end, the sidewall defining a central lumen through which vapor may be drawn. The mouthpiece can also include a proximal aperture on the proximal end for vapor to exit from the central lumen. In some embodiments, the sidewall has a top side aperture extending from the sidewall to the central lumen. Additionally, in some embodiments, the sidewall has a bottom side aperture extending from the sidewall to the central lumen, wherein the top side aperture and the bottom side aperture are formed on opposite sides or approximately opposite sides of the mouthpiece.

In some configurations, the mouthpiece is connectable to a vaping device having a flow sensor to activate the heating element. In some embodiments, the flow sensor is not activated unless the top side aperture is covered and the bottom side aperture is covered.

According to another aspect, a child-resistant vaping system mouthpiece can include a proximal end and a distal end, with a sidewall extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The sidewall may define a central lumen through which vapor may be drawn; a proximal aperture on the proximal end for vapor to exit from the central lumen; the sidewall having at least one child-resistant aperture between the proximal end and the distal end, the at least one child-resistant aperture limiting a vapor flow through the central lumen to the proximal aperture when the child-resistant aperture is not covered.

According to another aspect, a vaping system can comprise a tank with a reservoir for holding a liquid to be vaporized, with the tank having a proximal end for connection to a mouthpiece and a distal end for connection to a cartridge base. The system can also include a flow sensor for activating a heating element, with the mouthpiece comprising at least one child-resistant aperture formed through the sidewall. In some embodiments, the flow sensor is not activated unless the child-resistant aperture is covered. In other examples, a microphone is used to activate the heating element, and the microphone does not detect sufficient turbulence unless the child-resistant aperture(s) is covered.

According to another aspect, a mouthpiece for use with a vaping system can include a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, where the body defines a central lumen, and a proximal aperture defined in the proximal end of the body in fluid communication with the central lumen. The mouthpiece may further include a first child-resistant aperture defined within a sidewall of the body, a second child-resistant aperture defined within the sidewall of the body, where the second child-resistant aperture is opposite the first child-resistant aperture, and at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor is for detecting one or more of (i) a flow of vapor and air through the central lumen, (ii) a flow of vapor and air through the proximal aperture, (iii) a turbulence of vapor and air through the central lumen, and (iv) a turbulence of vapor and air through the proximal aperture. The first and second child-resistant apertures may be in fluid communication with the central lumen. The at least one sensor may activate a heating element of the vaping system upon detection of one or more of (i)-(iv).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. Not every element of the disclosure can be clearly displayed in a single drawing, and as such not every drawing shows each element of the disclosure. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vaping device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of another vaping device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another mouthpiece.

FIG. 5 is a front side view of a mouthpiece having two child-resistant apertures.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section view or cut-away of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom, perspective view of a mouthpiece.

FIG. 8 is a bottom, perspective view of another mouthpiece.

FIG. 9 is a top, perspective view of a mouthpiece.

FIG. 10 is a top, perspective view of another mouthpiece.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a mouthpiece taken from the proximal aperture side.

FIG. 12 is a bottom side elevation view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view taken from the bottom side of a portion of a child-resistant mouthpiece, showing a notch or indentation on the bottom side in communication with the bottom side child-resistant aperture.

FIG. 14 is another perspective view taken from the bottom side of a portion of a child-resistant mouthpiece, showing a notch or indentation on the bottom side in communication with the bottom side child-resistant aperture.

FIG. 15 is another perspective view taken from the bottom side of a portion of a child-resistant mouthpiece, showing a notch or indentation on the bottom side in communication with the bottom side child-resistant aperture.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view taken from the bottom side of a vaping system with a child-resistant mouthpiece.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a vaping system with a child-resistant mouthpiece in a user's hand, with the child-resistant apertures covered by a user's thumb and forefinger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a system and device for vaping. As used herein, “proximal” refers to a portion of the system or device that is closer to the user's mouth when the vaping device is in use, and “distal” refers to a portion of the system or device that is farther from the user's mouth when the vaping device is used. For example, the systems and methods herein may have a mouthpiece connectable to a proximal end of a tank, and a base connectable to a distal end of a tank. The mouthpiece has a distal end for connection to the tank and a proximal end for a user to draw from. As used herein, “top” refers to a portion of the system or device that is facing upward in use and “bottom” refers to a portion of the system or device that is facing downward (e.g., toward the ground) in use. In use, the vaping device can be generally parallel to the ground or about parallel. The device can also be held perpendicular, in which case the “top” refers to a portion of the system or device that faces away from the user in use and “bottom” refers to a portion of the system or device that is facing towards the user in use.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a vaping system 10 may generally include a cartridge tank or body 15 with an interior reservoir (see reservoir 17 in FIG. 2) that can be filled with oil for vaping. The system 10 may also include a cartridge base 19 for attachment to a distal end 12 of the tank 15. In some embodiments, the tank 15 holds or receives an atomizer housing 24 that houses an atomizer or heating element for heating oil to create vapor. The system 10 may further include a mouthpiece 30 for attachment to a proximal end 14 of the tank 15. The base 19 may include a means for connection to a battery to provide power to the heating element (shown, by way of example, as threaded distal projection 33 in FIG. 1).

The atomizer housing 24 includes a central post 46 defining a lumen, and distal base 35 that may have an outwardly extending flange 38. Also shown in FIG. 2 are one or more holes 42 defined by the distal base 35 of the atomizer housing 24. The one or more holes 42 allow pre-vapor formulation or oil to flow from the reservoir 17 of the tank 15 and enter the atomizer housing 24, contact one or more heating elements, and be heated into vapor. As the oil vaporizes, it travels upward through the lumen of the central post 46 of the atomizer housing 24 to the mouthpiece 30 for a user to inhale. Typically, the heating element(s) are activated by a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a microphone, and/or a push-button.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, a child-resistant mouthpiece 30 comprises a central lumen 50 (FIG. 5) defined by a body 55 through which vapor can travel, from the distal end of the mouthpiece central lumen 50 to exit through the proximal aperture 54. A sidewall 56 of the body 55 of the mouthpiece 30 extends from a distal end 30a to a proximal end 30b of the mouthpiece 30. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 contains two additional child-resistant sidewall apertures: a top side aperture 58 and a bottom side aperture 62. These apertures 58, 62 give child-resistant functionality to the device or system 10. These sidewall apertures 58, 62 extend from an exterior surface of the sidewall 56 through the body 55 to the central lumen 50, connecting the central lumen 50 to the ambient air outside the mouthpiece 30. The central lumen 50 of the mouthpiece 30 is configured to be in fluid communication with the lumen of the central post 46 when the mouthpiece 30 is in place on a vaping cartridge tank or body 15.

In some configurations, a single child-resistant aperture is provided that extends from the sidewall 56 to the central lumen 50 of the mouthpiece 30. The child-resistant aperture is in fluid communication with the central lumen 50. In other examples, two, three, or more child-resistant apertures may be provided, each extending from the sidewall 56 through to the central lumen 50. The child-resistant apertures, when not covered, connect the central lumen 50 to the ambient air, or in other words, the child-resistant apertures make the central lumen 50 in fluid communication with the ambient air outside the mouthpiece 30.

When the child-resistant apertures 58, 62 are not covered, the vaping system 10 may not activate. In some configurations, the vaping system 10 physically cannot activate without all child-resistant apertures covered. For example, many vaping devices and/or electronic vaping systems contain a flow or pressure sensor that activates the heating element when the flow sensor detects a draw on the proximal aperture 54. Without the child-resistant apertures covered, the flow sensor may not (or in some examples cannot) detect a draw on the proximal aperture 54.

The flow sensor may not (or cannot) detect a draw without the child-resistant apertures covered because when a child-user draws on the proximal aperture 54 without covering the child-resistant aperture(s), they pull in ambient air through the child-resistant aperture(s), rather than pulling through the central lumen 50 of the mouthpiece 30 and lumen of the central post 46 of the vaping cartridge tank or body 15 (see arrows 65 in FIG. 6). In other words, when ambient air is pulled into the mouthpiece 30, there is not a sufficient level of negative or suction pressure to trigger the flow or pressure sensor and activate the system 10. With the child-resistant aperture(s) covered by an adult-user, a draw on the proximal aperture 54 creates a flow through the central lumen 50 of the mouthpiece 30 and the lumen of the central post 46 of the vaping cartridge tank or body 15, which can be sensed by a flow sensor. That is, no air flow can come in through the pathway indicated by arrows 65 in FIG. 6.

In other configurations, the vaping system 10 may use a microphone to detect a sufficient level of turbulence of the air passing through to activate the device when the user inhales. Without the child-resistant apertures covered, the microphone may not (or in some examples cannot) detect a draw on the proximal aperture. This is because when a child-user draws on the proximal aperture 54 without covering the child-resistant aperture(s), they pull in ambient air through the child-resistant aperture(s) and do not cause turbulence within a flow pathway inside the mouthpiece 30 between the proximal aperture 54 and the child-resistant aperture(s). With the child-resistant aperture(s) covered by an adult-user, a draw on the proximal aperture 54 creates a turbulence within central lumen 50 and the lumen of the central post 46 which can be detected by a microphone.

Other devices simply use a push-button for manual activation. The mouthpiece 30 can also make these devices child-resistant by limiting the vapor draw through the proximal aperture 54. That is, even if the heating element is activated to create a vapor, when a child-user draws on the proximal aperture 54, the vapor will be drawn through the central lumen 50 of the mouthpiece 30. However, ambient air will also be drawn through the child-resistant apertures, greatly limiting the amount of vapor drawn through the proximal aperture 54. Because the child-resistant apertures must be closed-off to direct all vapor through the main vapor pathway in the central lumen 50 to the proximal aperture 54, anything less than full closure of the child-resistant apertures will result in less than a pure vapor exiting the proximal aperture 54.

As seen in FIGS. 7-8, the bottom side aperture 62 can be in association with an indentation 68. For example, the bottom side aperture 62 may be positioned within the indentation. In some embodiments, the indentation 68 is defined by the sidewall 56 and/or the body 55 of the mouthpiece 30. This indentation 68 can serve (i) to orient the device and (ii) as a comfortable position for a user to rest a portion of their thumb in to cover the bottom side aperture 62. In other configurations, an indentation 68 is not provided. In some examples, the top side and the bottom side are identical and the device does not have a particular orientation.

Additionally, as best seen in FIGS. 13-15, the bottom side aperture 62 can be slot-shaped and taper from the exterior of the sidewall 56 to the central lumen 50. A larger aperture at the edge of the sidewall 56 can taper down to a smaller aperture that is in communication with the central lumen 50. The size of the aperture on the side that is in communication with the central lumen 50 correlates to the size of the central lumen 50. The aperture 62 can narrow or taper as it approaches the central lumen 50. Similarly, the top side aperture 58 can narrow or taper from the outside of the sidewall 56 towards the central lumen 50. Or, in other examples, the top side aperture 58 and/or bottom side aperture 62 can have a fixed or unchanging size from the exterior of the sidewall 56 towards the central lumen 50. The shape of the aperture(s) 58, 62 can be any shape desired, such as round, slot, square, or any other shape.

In some examples, two child-resistant apertures can be used. This can be desirable in situations where a 2-action child resistance means is required. In other examples, one child-resistant aperture is used. Or three or more can be used.

The shape and size of the mouthpiece 30 can vary and still include child-resistant apertures. For example, an internal vortex mouthpiece can be used, a barrel-style mouthpiece, a mouthpiece with a specific orientation, or any other suitable shape desired.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view taken from the bottom side of a vaping system with a child-resistant mouthpiece placed on the cartridge of the vaping device. FIG. 17 shows a vaping system with a child-resistant mouthpiece in a user's hand, with the child-resistant apertures covered by a user's thumb and forefinger. In this position, the child-resistant aperture(s) are covered and the vaping system can be activated to deliver vapor to the user through the proximal end. FIG. 16 illustrates perspective view taken from the bottom side of an electronic vaping system with child-resistant mouthpiece attached to or placed on the cartridge of the vaping system (i.e., the proximal end 14 of a tank 15). The mouthpiece 30 may be any of the mouthpieces 30 discussed herein. FIG. 17 illustrates the electronic vaping system of FIG. 16 in use by a user. Specifically, FIG. 17 illustrates how a user's hand (i.e., fingers and thumb) can cover or otherwise block the child-resistant aperture(s) such that a sensor, an atomizer, or heating element may be activated. For example, when one or more of the apertures 58, 62 are covered, a sensor may detect the coverage and activate the atomizer or heating element, thereby producing a vapor to be inhaled by the user.

The apertures or child-resistant apertures 58, 62 have been described herein as placed, defined by, or otherwise disposed in/on the mouthpiece 30 (i.e., extending through the sidewall 56 to be in fluid communication with the central lumen 50). However, other dispositions or placements of the apertures 58, 62 are contemplated herein. For example, the tank 15 may define or include one or more apertures 58, 62.

Importantly, no matter where the one or more apertures 58, 62 are placed within a vaping system 10 according to the present disclosure, the one or more apertures 58, 62 prevent accidental or incidental activation of the vaping system 10. Specifically, presence of the one or more apertures 58, 62 prevents activation of the vaping system 10 (e.g., the heating element) unless and/or until the one or more apertures 58, 62 are covered by a user, such as coverage by a finger and/or thumb of the user.

For example, the vaping system 10 may include one or more sensors dispersed along an air pathway of the vaping system 10 (e.g., along the central lumen 50, along a lumen of the center post 46, within an air pathway of the tank 15, etc.). As the one or more apertures 58, 62 are in fluid communication with the air pathway (e.g., the central lumen 50), coverage of the one or more apertures 58, 62 changes or modifies a flow of air or vapor through the air pathway. This change or modification may be detected by a sensor (e.g., a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a microphone, etc.); upon detection of the modification, the sensor may cause the heating element to be activated, thereby producing vapor. In some embodiments, the one or more apertures 58, 62 must be fully covered by a user to activate the heating element; in other embodiments, partial coverage of the one or more apertures 58, 62 will activate the heating element.

The mouthpiece may be simple to manufacture. In some examples, the apertures can be formed as part of the mold of the mouthpiece, eliminating the need to create the apertures by cutting through the sidewall mouthpiece. The mouthpiece can be formed of a unitary structure, or can be formed by one or more pieces connected together.

The description is only exemplary of the principles of the disclosure, and should not be viewed as narrowing the scope of the claims which follow, which claims define the full scope of the invention. Various aspects discussed in one drawing may be present and/or used in conjunction with the embodiment shown in another drawing, and each element shown in multiple drawings may be discussed only once. The described features, structures, or characteristics of configurations of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more configurations. In some cases, detailed description of well-known items or repeated description of substantially the same configurations may be omitted to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art by avoiding an unnecessarily redundant description. All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

Reference in the specification to “one configuration” “one embodiment,” “a configuration” “an example,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the configuration is included in at least one configuration, but is not a requirement that such feature, structure or characteristic be present in any particular configuration unless expressly set forth in the claims as being present. The appearances of the phrase “in one configuration” or “in one example” in various places may not necessarily limit the inclusion of a particular element of the disclosure to a single configuration, rather the element may be included in other or all configurations discussed herein.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, singular forms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” may include the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an aperture” may include one or more of such apertures, and reference to “the mouthpiece” may include reference to one or more of such mouthpieces.

As used herein, the term “generally” refers to something that is more of the designated adjective than not, or the converse if used in the negative. As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint while still accomplishing the function associated with the range, for example, “about” may be within 10% of the given number or given range. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member.

While methods are described herein in discrete steps in a particular order for the sake of clarity, the steps do not require a particular order and more than one step may be performed at the same time. For example, a later step may begin before earlier step completes. Or, a later step may be completed before an earlier step is started. Additionally, the word “connected” and “coupled” is used throughout for clarity of the description and can include either a direct connection or an indirect connection.

Although the foregoing disclosure provides many specifics, such as use of the system in electronic vaping devices, it will be appreciated that other implementations are contemplated and these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the ensuing claims. The present system may be used in vaping devices, electronic vaping devices, or other vaping systems. Other embodiments and configurations may be devised which do not depart from the scopes of the claims. Features from different embodiments and configurations may be employed separately or in combination. Accordingly, all additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced thereby. The scope of each claim is indicated and limited only by its plain language and the full scope of available legal equivalents to its elements.

Furthermore, if any references have been made to patents and printed publications throughout this disclosure, each of these references and printed publications are individually incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A mouthpiece for use with a vaping device, the mouthpiece comprising: a proximal end and a distal end, with a sidewall extending from the proximal to the distal end, the sidewall defining a central lumen through which vapor may be drawn;a proximal aperture on the proximal end for vapor to exit from the central lumen;the sidewall having a top side aperture extending from the sidewall to the central lumen; andthe sidewall having a bottom side aperture extending from the sidewall to the central lumen, wherein the top side aperture and the bottom side aperture are formed on opposite sides of the mouthpiece.

2. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein vapor is drawn through the central lumen and exits the proximal aperture when the top side aperture is covered by a user's finger and the bottom side aperture is covered by a user's thumb.

3. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein vapor is drawn through the central lumen and exits the top side aperture and the bottom side aperture when the top side aperture is not covered by a user's finger and the bottom side aperture is not covered by a user's thumb.

4. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is connectable to a vaping device having a flow sensor to activate a heating element, and wherein the flow sensor is not activated unless the top side aperture is covered and the bottom side aperture is covered.

5. A child-resistant vaping system mouthpiece comprising: a proximal end and a distal end, with a sidewall extending from the proximal to the distal end, the sidewall defining a central lumen through which vapor may be drawn;a proximal aperture on the proximal end for vapor to exit from the central lumen; andthe sidewall having at least one child-resistant aperture between the proximal end and the distal end, the at least one child-resistant aperture limiting a vapor flow through the central lumen to the proximal aperture when the child-resistant aperture is not covered.

6. The child-resistant vaping system mouthpiece of claim 5, wherein the at least one child-resistant aperture comprises two child-resistant apertures.

7. The child-resistant vaping system mouthpiece of claim 5, wherein the at least one child-resistant aperture comprises three child-resistant apertures.

8. A vaping system comprising: a tank with a reservoir for holding a liquid to be vaporized, the tank having a proximal end for connection to a mouthpiece and a distal end for connection to a cartridge base;a flow sensor for activating a heating element; andthe mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the flow sensor is not activated unless the top side aperture and the bottom side aperture are covered.

9. A vaping system comprising: a tank with a reservoir for holding a liquid to be vaporized, the tank having a proximal end for connection to a mouthpiece and a distal end for connection to a cartridge base;a microphone for detecting sufficient turbulence to activate a heating element; andthe mouthpiece of claim 5, wherein the microphone does not detect sufficient turbulence unless the child-resistant aperture is covered.

10. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is formed of a single piece of polyresin material.

11. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is molded of a polyresin material.

12. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece has a unitary structure.

13. A mouthpiece for use with a vaping system, the mouthpiece comprising: a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the body defining a central lumen;a proximal aperture defined in the proximal end of the body and in fluid communication with the central lumen;a first child-resistant aperture defined within a sidewall of the body;a second child-resistant aperture defined within the sidewall of the body, the second child-resistant aperture opposite the first child-resistant aperture; andat least one sensor for detecting one or more of (i) a flow of vapor and air through the central lumen, (ii) a flow of vapor and air through the proximal aperture, (iii) a turbulence of vapor and air through the central lumen, and (iv) a turbulence of vapor and air through the proximal aperture,wherein the first and second child-resistant apertures are in fluid communication with the central lumen, andwherein the at least one sensor activates a heating element of the vaping system upon detection of one or more of (i)-(iv).

14. The mouthpiece of claim 13, wherein the second child-resistant aperture is positioned within an indentation.

15. The mouthpiece of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, or a microphone.

16. The mouthpiece of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a microphone.

17. The mouthpiece of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a flow sensor.

18. The mouthpiece of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor.

19. The mouthpiece of claim 13, wherein the first and second child-resistant apertures are in fluid communication with ambient air such that the at least one sensor cannot detect one or more of (i)-(iv) if either the first or second child-resistant apertures are not covered, such as by a user.

20. The mouthpiece of claim 13, wherein the first and second child-resistant apertures are in fluid communication with ambient air such that the at least one sensor cannot detect one or more of (i)-(iv) if the first and second child-resistant apertures are not covered, such as by a user.

21. A vaping device comprising: a tank for holding a liquid to be vaporized by a heating element;a mouthpiece connectable to a proximal end of the tank; andan aperture in fluid communication with an air pathway through the tank and/or the mouthpiece, wherein the one or more apertures must be covered to activate the heating element.