Patent Application
20230148682
The present disclosure relates generally to mouthpieces for devices with liquid inhalable precursors. More specifically, and without limitation, the present disclosure relates to devices for mouthpieces to use on vaping systems and methods of manufacturing such mouthpieces.
Vaping devices are used to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation, such as an oil that may or may not contain one or more cannabinoids, to form a vapor. The vaping device may include a reservoir that holds a 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 in two or more pieces, such as a cartridge piece and a capping mouthpiece. They are filled by the local oil manufactures with a pre-vapor formulation, and then capped with the mouthpiece.
One drawback to vaping devices may be the difficulty in achieving the right temperature for the heating element to create vapor to be drawn through the mouthpiece. In some cases, the heating element may generate excess heat, which may result in an increased temperature in one or more portions of the cartridge. Excessive heat, internal temperatures, etc., may result in an overheat condition in the cartridge. Overheating of the cartridge may result in degradation of the oil within the cartridge, formation of one or more reaction products which may detract from the sensory experience when included in a vapor, etc.
According to one embodiment, a mouthpiece for a vaping device includes: a sidewall extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the sidewall defining a lumen through which vapor may be drawn, the sidewall having an interior edge and an exterior edge; and an exterior groove formed in the proximal end of the sidewall, the exterior groove extending from the interior edge in fluid connection with the lumen to the exterior edge of the sidewall.
The exterior groove allows air to be drawn from outside the mouthpiece into the exterior groove. In some embodiments, the exterior groove comprises at least two exterior grooves. In other embodiments, the exterior groove comprises three, four, or more exterior grooves. The exterior grooves may be spaced equidistant apart.
According to another aspect, the mouthpiece includes a heat sink in fluid communication with the lumen.
According to another aspect, a mouthpiece for a vaping device includes a sidewall extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the sidewall defining a lumen through which vapor may be drawn, the sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface; an air channel formed in the sidewall between the interior surface and the exterior surface, the air channel extending from a first opening in fluid communication with the proximal end of the sidewall to a second opening in fluid communication with the exterior surface of the sidewall, the air channel for intake of air exterior to the mouthpiece.
According to another aspect, a mouthpiece for a vaping device includes: a sidewall extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the sidewall defining an interior lumen through which vapor may be drawn, the sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface; at least one aperture extending through the sidewall, the at least one aperture fluidly connecting the interior lumen to the exterior surface of the sidewall and enabling air from exterior to the mouthpiece to be drawn into the interior lumen through the at least one aperture when a user inhales on a proximal opening of the mouthpiece.
In some embodiments, the mouthpiece also includes an exterior circumferential groove formed in the exterior surface of the sidewall between the proximal end and the distal end, and wherein the at least one aperture is within the exterior circumferential groove. The exterior circumferential groove may extend around a circumference of the exterior surface of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the at least one aperture comprises four apertures. Or two, three, four, five, or more apertures can be used. The apertures may be spaced equidistant apart. The apertures may have a circular shape, an octagonal shape, or any other shape desired.
In other embodiments, the mouthpiece can include an exterior longitudinal groove formed in the proximal end, the exterior groove extending from a proximal opening in fluid connection with the interior lumen to an exterior surface of the sidewall, and wherein the at least one aperture is formed in the exterior longitudinal groove. The exterior longitudinal groove may extend from an exterior side wall to the proximal end of the mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece also includes a heat sink in fluid communication with the interior lumen.
According to another aspect, a mouthpiece for a vaping device includes: a sidewall extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the sidewall defining a lumen through which vapor may be drawn, the sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and a cylindrical heat sink in connection with the lumen, the cylindrical heat sink having a heat sink lumen therethrough, and wherein at least some of the vapor drawn into the lumen is also drawn through the heat sink lumen. As the vapor is drawn through the head sink, it can be cooled as it passes through the heat sink.
Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
The following drawings illustrate what are currently considered to be specific representative embodiments for carrying out the disclosed subject matter and are not limiting as to embodiments which may be made in accordance with this 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.
This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for improved mouthpieces for use with vaping devices. With reference to
The sidewall 114 of the mouthpiece 110 may have varying degrees of thickness. The sidewall 114 extends from an interior edge 111 to an exterior edge 112.
The outer surface 114a may have an approximately planar outer surface 114a. The inner surface 114b may form an hourglass shape to control the flow of vapor, and thus temperature, upwardly through the lumen 120. For example, the vapor may be forced through the narrow neck 127 of the hourglass, limiting the flow of the vapor before it reaches the proximal opening 129 of the lumen 20. Instead of forming an hourglass shape, the inner surface 114b of the sidewall 114 may be substantially planar or have another shape to affect and/or control the vapor flow.
The proximal opening 129 of the lumen 120 may be circular. Or, instead of being circular, it may be any other suitable shape. The proximal opening 129 may be made with a smaller diameter or a larger diameter to further control the flow of vapor and temperature of the vapor as it exits the proximal open 129. A proximal opening 129 that is relatively larger, such as that shown in
With reference to
Mouthpiece 210 as shown includes four longitudinal grooves 233. Instead of four grooves, one groove, two grooves, three grooves, or five or more grooves may be provided. Grooves 233 have a width of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. In one embodiment, groove 133 have a width of 1 mm. Grooves 233 have a depth of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, and in one embodiment grooves 233 have a depth less than 1 mm. Instead of a width of 1 mm and a depth of less than 1 mm, the width and depth could be larger or smaller depending on the desired effects. Grooves 233 have a generally semi-circular shape. Instead of a semi-circular shape, grooves can have a semi-octagonal shape, or any other shape.
Grooves 233 extend from the proximal opening 229 of the inner lumen 120, across a proximal end 225, and down the outer surface 214a of the sidewall 214. Instead of extending to the inner lumen 20 on the proximal end 125, grooves 233 may extend only from the proximal end 225 down the outer surface 214a of the sidewall 214. Grooves 233 may extend down the outer surface 214a of the sidewall 214 partially towards the distal end 218, or fully to the distal end 218. In other embodiments, grooves 233 do not extend down the outer surface 214a of the sidewall, but only across the proximal end of the side wall.
One or more grooves 233 may prevent a user's mouth from creating a perfect seal across the proximal end 225 when they inhale through the proximal opening 229 of lumen 220. Users are known to place their mouths partially or sideways over a portion of the proximal opening 229 in order to approximate the effect created by the grooves 233. That is, users place a portion of their mouth over a portion of the proximal opening 229 and inhale, thus inhaling some vapor through the portion of their mouth that is over the proximal opening 229 and inhaling some fresh air through the portion of the mouth that is not over the proximal end.
When a user places their entire mouth over the proximal end 225 of the mouthpiece 210, some fresh air from outside the mouthpiece will be inhaled through grooves 233 and some vapor will be inhaled through the proximal opening 229 of lumen 220.
With reference to
In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, the inner wall 314b is formed with a shoulder 345 or ridge that the heat sink 337 may interface or rest on. Instead of a shoulder 345, the inner wall 314b may be substantially planar and the heat sink 337 may be connected or otherwise coupled to the lumen through other means. Heat sink 337 is circular with a heat sink lumen 349 extending therethrough. Instead of being circular, heat sink 337 could have any other suitable polygonal shape, and may include one or more ridges or cut-aways for customizing its heat sinking properties. In one embodiment the heat sink 337 is octagonal, and in other embodiments the heat sink has different geometries. Likewise, the thickness of the heat sink 337 may be varied and optimized depending on the temperature control desired. The heat sink 337 shown in the embodiments illustrated in
With reference to
Similar to the embodiment of mouthpiece 210, four grooves 433 are formed in the outer surface 414a. Instead of four grooves, three or fewer grooves or five or more grooves may be provided. The number of grooves 433 may be varied to achieve the desired amount of air drawn in from outside the mouthpiece, or air from outside the mouthpiece that is inhaled by a user when the user places their mouth over the entire proximal end 425 and inhales. Instead of varying the number of grooves to adjust the amount of fresh air inhaled, the width, depth, and/or shape of the grooves being varied.
With reference to
With reference to
According to another aspect, mouthpiece 610 may include a circumferential groove 646 formed in the exterior surface of the sidewall. Circumferential groove 646 extends around the circumference of the outer wall 614a. Instead of extending around the entire circumference, groove 646 may be provided at only select portions of the circumference. In some embodiments a groove 646 is not provided and the outer wall 614a may be substantially planar.
Four apertures 650 extend from the outer wall 614a within the groove 646 to the inner wall 614b of the sidewall 614. Apertures 650 connect the lumen 620 defined by the inner wall 614b to the outer wall 614a, and thus make the lumen 620 in fluid connection with fresh air from outside the mouthpiece 610. Apertures 650 are shown as being generally circular. Instead of being circular, apertures could be any suitable polygonal shape. In other embodiments, one, two, three, four, five, six, or more apertures can be used. Similarly, apertures can be varied in size to achieve the desired air cooling effects.
Apertures 650 are recessed within the groove 646. By recessing apertures 650 within the groove 646, it reduces the chance of a user inadvertently covering the apertures 650 entirely when a user has their hand on the mouthpiece 610. Because apertures 650 extend to the lumen 620, as a user inhales on the proximal end 625 of the mouthpiece 610 and through the proximal opening 629, air is drawn from the outside of the mouthpiece, through apertures 650 and into the lumen 620. Similarly, vapor is drawn up through the center of the lumen 620 from the cartridge. The air drawn from outside the mouthpiece 610 may mix with the vapor drawn up the lumen and serve to cool the vapor in the lumen 620.
Mouthpiece 610 may be provided with an interior spiral as discussed above with reference to
In other embodiments, the mouthpiece can include one or more exterior longitudinal grooves. With reference to
In some embodiments, one or more groove(s) 733 include one or more aperture(s) 750. For example, each groove 744 shown in
The grooves 733 extend up from the aperture 750 to the proximal end 725. The grooves 733 extend to the proximal opening 729 of the lumen 720. In other embodiments, the grooves 733 do not extend to the proximal opening 729. The width, depth, and number of grooves 733 can be varied depending on the desired heating effects. The grooves 733 formed in the proximal end also serve to prevent a user from forming a perfect seal with their mouth around the proximal end 725.
Because apertures 750 extend to the lumen 720, as a user inhales on the proximal end of the device, air is drawn from the outside of the mouthpiece, through apertures 750 and into the lumen. Similarly, vapor is drawn up through the center of the lumen from the cartridge. The air drawn from outside the mouthpiece through apertures 750 may mix with the vapor in the lumen 720 and serve to cool the vapor in the lumen 20.
Mouthpiece 710 includes an interior spiral 742 formed within the lumen 720 on the inner wall 714b of the sidewall 714 (as described in detail with respect to
With reference to
In the embodiments shown in
Instead of two slots 858, one slot may be used, or three or more slots may be used. Instead of positioning slots equidistant apart, the slots may be spaced closer together or farther apart. The shape and size of the slots may also be varied. Slots 858 are shown as having a generally circular cross-section, but other polygons may also be used. A larger slot may be used to draw in relatively more fresh air and a smaller slot may be used to draw in relatively less fresh air as desired.
The mouthpiece 180 also includes an interior spiral 842 formed within the lumen 820 on the inner wall 814b of the sidewall 814 (discussed in detail above with respect to
While the present methods and devices have been specifically described with respect to use in vaping systems, it will be appreciated that other applications are possible and contemplated herein. The various aspects described above, including elements of the various embodiments described above, can be combined to provide further embodiments. For example, any of the embodiments described above can include a vortex within the lumen or not include a vortex within the lumen. Similarly, the embodiments may include a heat sink or may not include a heat sink. Any of the embodiments may be formed partially or entirely of suitable materials such as ceramic, plastics, metals, etc.
Various aspects discussed in reference to 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.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the embodiments of the present disclosure. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the present disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. In one embodiment, the terms “about” and “approximately” refer to numerical parameters within 10% of the indicated range.
Reference in the specification to “one configuration,” “one embodiment,” “a configuration,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment, but it is not a requirement that such feature, structure, or characteristic be present in any particular embodiment unless expressly set forth in the claims as being present. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places may not necessarily limit the inclusion of a particular element of the invention to a single embodiment, rather the element may be included in other or all embodiments discussed herein.
The terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar referents used in the context of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Thus, for example, reference to “an aperture” or “a channel” may include one or more of such apertures or one or more of such channels. 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.
Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments of the present disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
Certain components of the mouthpiece described herein will be described as being coupled or connected to one another and such connections and couplings may be achieved in any suitable manner. Additionally, such components may be integrated with one another or distributed in any suitable fashion. As used herein, the vaping system mouthpiece may be described as having parts or portions that are more proximal and parts or portions which are more distal. This is relative to the distance from a user's mouth when the vaping system is in use. For example, the end of the mouthpiece which the user places their mouth on to inhale will be more proximal, or on a proximal end of the vaping system mouthpiece. In one embodiment, a portion or feature of the system which is towards the proximal end is closer to the proximal end than the distal end. Similarly, in an exemplary embodiment, a portion or feature of the system which is towards the distal end is closer to the distal end than the proximal end.
Various portions and components of apparatus within the scope of this disclosure, including for example, structural components, can be formed by one or more various suitable manufacturing processes known to those in the art. Similarly, various portions and components of apparatuses within the scope of this disclosure can be made from suitable materials known to those in the art.
The above description has set out various features, functions, methods, and other aspects of the disclosure. Time and further development may change the manner in which the various aspects are implemented. The scope of protection defined by the claims is not intended to be limited to the specific sizes, shapes, features, or other aspects of the disclosed embodiments. The claimed inventions may be implemented or embodied in other forms while still being within the scopes of the concepts disclosed hereby. Also included are equivalents of the elements of the claims that can be made without departing from the scopes of concepts properly protected by the claims that follow.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application 63/281,074, filed 18 Nov. 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63281074 | Nov 2021 | US |
