Assembly structure of cylinder and flat heating element of micro evaporator

Abstract

A micro vaporizer (10) comprises a barrel (14), a flat plate heater (16) and a base (12). The barrel (14) comprises a mouthpiece (40) configured to deliver an aerosol to a user's respiratory tract. The barrel (14) further comprises a hollow body (42) having a concave wall (60) to receive the flat plate heater (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a micro-evaporator, such as a vaporizing device, and more particularly to a fluid container and a heater for the micro-evaporator. Background Art

[0002] Microvaporizers (also known as vaporizing devices) are typically used to dispense one or more active substances using vaporized materials. In atmospheric dispensers, these substances may include materials such as deodorant flavors, medications, nicotine, and insect repellents. In the case of personal vaporizers, the active substances typically include flavors and / or nicotine. The strength of the flavor and nicotine can be adjusted up or down to mimic the regular smoking experience. Typically, the vaporized material is the only source of active substances in a microvaporizer.

[0003] The heater in a microvaporizer typically includes a coiled heating wire wrapped around a wick or other fluid conduit that draws a liquid infused with a chemical (e.g., nicotine) from a reservoir. The coiled heating wire heats the liquid in the wick or received from the conduit. The liquid is vaporized by the heating. The vapor flows from the heating wire through the mouthpiece and toward the user.

[0004] In conventional micro-evaporators, the heating wire, the device for fixing the wick, and the fluid passage from the reservoir to the wick are usually complicated. The connection between the heating wire, the wick and the reservoir often requires complicated fittings and other connection-related devices. These fittings and devices are usually complicated, expensive to manufacture, and may be difficult to use.

[0005] There has long been a need for a heater, wick or associated fluid conduit, and fluid reservoir that is simple and easy to assemble. Summary of the invention

[0006] The inventors have devised an assembly comprising a flat plate heater and a barrel which can be assembled together and then mounted in a base unit which can be a handheld device. The barrel can include a passage for supplying aerosol to a user and an interface for connecting to a device or a mouthpiece. The barrel can also include an internal fluid reservoir and a flat mounting for receiving the flat plate heater.

[0007] The mounting member may be a recess in the side of the barrel having a flat bottom and configured to receive and support the flat panel heater. An inlet on the flat bottom may allow liquid to flow from an internal reservoir of the barrel into a fluid passage in the flat panel heater. A pump in the internal reservoir may pump liquid from the reservoir into the flat panel heater and toward a heating element in the heater.

[0008] The flat outer surface of the flat heater can be flush with the side of the barrel having the groove, for example, in the same plane. The flat outer surface of the heater has an outlet adjacent to the heating element to allow vapor, for example, an aerosol, generated by heating a liquid flowing through the heater to flow from the barrel and heater into the nozzle of the micro-vaporizer.

[0009] The barrel and plate heater may be a simple structure that can be manufactured at a lower cost than the liquid delivery system in a conventional micro-evaporator.

[0010] The cartridge may include a mouthpiece configured to deliver aerosol to a user's respiratory tract and a hollow body having a concave wall. The cartridge may also include a flat panel heater mounted to the concave wall of the hollow body.

[0011] The recessed wall may include two openings configured to be fluidically connected to a fluid passage in the heater. At least one of the two openings may include a seal, and the seal may be an O-ring. One of the openings may be configured to be fluidically connected to an inlet of the heater, and the other of the openings may be configured to be fluidically connected to an outlet of the heater.

[0012] The recessed wall may further comprise a mounting structure configured to engage with the heater to align the heater within the recess in the hollow body. The mounting structure may comprise a pair of projections configured to engage with a corresponding pair of openings in the heater.

[0013] Another aspect of the present technology may include a micro-vaporizer device configured to deliver an aerosol to the respiratory tract of a user. The micro-vaporizer device may include a power source and the cartridge described above.

[0014] However, another aspect of the present technology may include a barrel configured to be mounted on a micro-evaporator device. The barrel may include a mouthpiece configured to deliver an aerosol to the respiratory tract of a user. The barrel may also include a hollow body having a groove and a storage tank configured to hold a chemically infused liquid. The storage tank may be contained within the hollow body. The barrel may also include a flat plate heater removably mounted on a recessed wall in the groove of the hollow body. The flat plate heater may be a unitary component configured to fluidly connect the heater to the storage tank and the mouthpiece when the heater is positioned in the groove.

[0015] The flat plate heater may be configured such that an outer surface of the heater is flush with an outer surface of the barrel when the heater is positioned in the recess.

[0016] The heater may be configured to be retained in the recess by friction.

[0017] The cartridge may further comprise a pump configured to pump liquid into and out of the storage tank. In addition, the pump may be configured to pump liquid into and out of the heater.

[0018] The cylinder may further comprise a spiral valve. In addition, the spiral valve may comprise opposing gears.

[0019] Yet another aspect of the present technology may include a micro-vaporizer device configured to deliver an aerosol to the respiratory tract of a user. The micro-vaporizer device may include a power source and the cartridge described above.

[0020] However, another aspect of the present technology may include a barrel configured to be mounted to a micro-vaporizer device. The barrel may include a mouthpiece configured to deliver an aerosol to the respiratory tract of a user and a hollow body having a recessed planar wall, the recessed planar wall including a supply port and a discharge port. The barrel may also include a flat plate heater removably mounted to the recessed planar wall. The flat plate heater may be configured such that when the flat plate heater is fixed to the recessed planar wall, the inlet of the flat plate heater is aligned with the supply port, and the outlet of the flat plate heater is aligned with the discharge port.

[0021] The flat panel heater may be configured to be secured against the recessed planar wall by snapping the heater.

[0022] The cartridge may further include a storage tank configured to contain a chemical priming liquid. The storage tank may be contained within the hollow body and fluidly connected to the supply port.

[0023] Yet another aspect of the present technology may include a micro-vaporizer device configured to deliver an aerosol to the respiratory tract of a user. The micro-vaporizer device may include a power source and the cartridge described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 An exemplary micro-evaporator is shown including a base, a barrel, and a heater, with portions of the sidewalls of the base removed to reveal the barrel and heater.

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the barrel and heater is shown.

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the barrel and heater is shown.

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 1Exploded view of the barrel and heater shown.

[0028] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the hollow body of the cylinder.

[0029] Figure 6 is another perspective view of the hollow body of the cylinder.

[0030] Figure 7 It is another perspective view of the hollow body of the cylinder.

[0031] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cylinder.

[0032] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of another cylinder.

[0033] Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0034] Figure 1 A micro-vaporizer 10 is shown for generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The micro-vaporizer 10 can be configured as a vaporization device for delivering nicotine vapor to a user's mouth. The micro-vaporizer 10 can also be configured to deliver medicinal vapor to a user's mouth, such as an aerosol infused with asthma medication. In addition, the micro-vaporizer can be configured to deliver other types of vapor (aerosol) to a user.

[0035] The micro-evaporator 10 may include a base 12, a barrel 14, and a flat heater 16. The base 12 may be a hollow handheld device. The outer surface of the base 12 may be shaped so that it is easy to hold with one hand and may fit into a user's pocket or wallet.

[0036] Base 12 may house battery 18, electronic circuitry 20, and electrical conductors 22 connecting battery 18, electronic circuitry 20, and panel heater 16. Electronic circuitry 20 may control the delivery of power from battery 18 to resistive heating element 24, e.g., a conductive loop in panel heater 16.

[0037] The base 12 may also house a secondary reservoir 26 that may provide fluid to the cartridge 14. The secondary reservoir 26 may be internal to the base 12 and may be behind a mounting (not shown) of the cartridge 14. The secondary reservoir 26 may be optional. It is contemplated that the secondary reservoir 26 may be provided outside the primary reservoir 28 of the cartridge 14 if the primary reservoir 28, e.g., a fluid conduit, is too small to store enough fluid to generate vapor over a long period of time, e.g., several days. It is further contemplated that the primary reservoir 28 may be omitted and the secondary reservoir 26 in the base 12 may be the only reservoir in the micro-evaporator 10.

[0038] The base 12 may also include a motor 30 to drive a drive shaft 32 of a pump 34 in the cartridge 14. The pump 34 may pump fluid from the cartridge 14 into and through the flat plate heater 16, and / or pump fluid from the secondary reservoir 26 into the primary reservoir 28. It is contemplated that once a certain amount of time has passed since the user's last inhalation action, for example, 20 seconds to 120 seconds, the pump 34 may pump fluid from the secondary reservoir 26 into the primary reservoir 28. It is contemplated that the pump 34 may pump unused fluid from the flat plate heater 16 into the primary reservoir 28 and / or the secondary reservoir 26.

[0039] The cartridge 14 may be mounted in or on the base 12. The base 12 may have a slot for receiving the cartridge 14 or may have sidewalls with grooves to receive and support the cartridge 14. The cartridge 14 may be permanently connected to the base 12 or may be removable from the base 12.

[0040] An electrical connector 36 that receives a tab 38 on the flat panel heater 16 may be inside the housing of the base 12. The electrical connector 36 may provide a conductive coupling between the electrical conductor 36 inside the base 12 and the resistive heating element 24.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the barrel 14 may include a user interface (e.g., a mouthpiece) 40 for delivering the aerosol directly to the user's respiratory tract. The user interface 40 may be permanently attached to the barrel 14 or may be removed from the barrel 14. The barrel 14 may also have a universal connection so that more than one size or type of user interface 40 may be attached to the barrel 14.

[0042] Cartridge 14 may also include a hollow body 42 housing primary reservoir 28, at least a portion of pump 34, and mounting structure 44 to receive plate heater 16. Primary reservoir 28 may have a liquid capacity in the range of one to thirty milliliters, such as, for example, a two milliliter capacity.

[0043] The size of the barrel 14 can be small enough to fit within the handheld base 12. For example, the barrel 14 can have a generally rectangular shape, excluding the connection to the user interface 40 or the drive shaft 32 of the pump 34. The rectangular shape can have a length in the range of 1 to 2 inches (2.5 cm to 5 cm), a width of 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 1 cm), and a thickness of 0.25 to 0.5 inches (0.6 to 1.3 cm).

[0044] The flat panel heater 16 may be a flat panel assembly of a metal layer (resistive heating element 24) sandwiched between non-conductive substrates 46, 48. Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the substrates 46, 48 can be transparent to show the resistive heating element 24. The transparency of the substrates 46, 48 can facilitate visual inspection of the operation of the flat heater 16. The substrates 46, 48 can be flat plates formed of plastic or other materials, which can be non-conductive or dielectric. The resistive heating element 24 can be made of a thin layer of conductive material, and the substrates 46, 48 can be made of an electrically insulating material. The narrow gap in the metal layer can form a channel 52 with the substrates 46, 48. The conductive material surrounding the gap can heat, vaporize and convert the chemically infused liquid into an aerosol. The metal layer can include a lug 38 and a heating element 50, which are part of a conductive circuit formed by the metal layer 24. Current can flow through the lug 38 and the heating element 50, such as a loop, to heat the heating element 50, thereby vaporizing the fluid in the loop and the remaining fluid at the heating element 50. In addition, the metal layer 24 can include a channel 52, and the fluid can flow to the heating element 50 through the channel 52. The metal layer 24 need not be completely metallic and may be non-conductive, with a conductive path between the terminal tab 38 and the heating element 50 .

[0045] Additionally, channels 52 may be etched into the side surfaces of one or both substrates 46, 48, and the conductive path from lug 38 to heating element 50 may be embedded in the side surfaces of substrates 46, 48. In this configuration, a metal layer may not be required.

[0046] An opening (not shown) in the base plates 46, 48 may align with a fluid opening 54 in the mounting structure 44 in the cartridge 14. The fluid opening 54 may allow fluid to flow from the main reservoir 28 in the cartridge 14, through the fluid opening 54, and into the channel 52 of the flat heater 16.

[0047] The mounting structure 44 for the flat panel heater 16 may include a groove 56 on the side wall of the hollow body 42 of the cartridge 14. The groove 56 may be deep enough so that the outermost substrate 48 of the flat panel heater 16 may be flush with the outer surface 58 of the hollow body 42. The perimeter shape of the groove 56 may match the perimeter shape of the flat panel heater 16 to promote a tight fit between the flat panel heater 16 and the hollow body 42. The perimeter may be defined by a ridge between the groove 56 and the outer surface 58. The groove 56 may be open on one side to receive the flat panel heater 16. A recessed planar wall 60, against which the flat panel heater 16 may be mounted, may be located opposite the groove opening. The recessed planar wall 60 may include the fluid opening 54 and the exhaust port 62.

[0048] The fluid opening 54 can be fluidly connected to the main reservoir 28 directly or through a fluid passage 64 inside the barrel 14. In addition, when the flat plate heater 16 is installed in the groove 56, the fluid opening 54 can be sealingly connected to the inlet of the flat plate heater 16. A seal 66, such as an O-ring, can be fixed to the fluid opening 54 to ensure a sealed connection with the inlet of the flat plate heater 16. Alternatively, the seal 66 can be fixed at the inlet of the flat plate heater 16.

[0049] like Figure 5-7 As shown, the pump 34 may include a spiral valve (e.g., opposing gears). Figure 8 As shown, pump 34 can pump liquid from primary reservoir 28 into and out of flat panel heater 16 by creating a pressure differential across passage 52 in flat panel heater 16. Alternatively or in addition, for example, a secondary pump (not shown) can be used to pump fluid from secondary reservoir 26 in base 12 into and out of primary reservoir 28 in barrel 14. It is contemplated that other types of pumps (e.g., piston pumps, gear pumps, diaphragm pumps, etc.) can be used.

[0050] The exhaust port 62 can be fluidly connected to the user interface 40, or can be fluidly connected to the user interface 40 through a steam channel 68 between the outlet of the flat panel heater 16 and the user interface 40. The heating element 50 of the flat panel heater 16 can convert the fluid into steam. The steam can flow from the heating element 50 through a steam opening 70 in one of the substrates 46, 48, which faces the recessed planar wall 60 of the groove 56 in the barrel 14. The recessed planar wall 60 can have a steam inlet 72, such as a slot, aligned with the steam opening 70 of the flat panel heater 16. The steam formed at the heating element 50 can flow through the steam opening 70, into the steam inlet 72 in the groove 56 of the barrel 14, and flow to the user interface 40 through the steam channel 68 in the barrel 14.

[0051] It is contemplated that the main reservoir 28, fluid passage 64, fluid opening 54, flat plate heater 16, and steam passage 68 may collectively form a fluid flow path 75. Thus, installing the flat plate heater 16 in the recess 56 of the barrel 14 may complete or fill a gap in the fluid flow path 75 and may fluidly connect the fluid opening 54 to the exhaust port 62. Conversely, removing the flat plate heater 16 from the recess may leave a gap in the fluid flow path 75. It is contemplated that, if Fig. 9 As shown, one or more of the secondary reservoir 26 , the user interface 40 , and the pump 34 may optionally be part of the fluid flow path 75 .

[0052] To mount the flat panel heater 16 in the recess 56 of the cartridge 14, the flat outer side of one of the base plates 46, 48 can be pressed or slid into the recess 56. A hole 74 on the flat panel heater can receive a protrusion (e.g., a post) 76 extending from the recessed planar wall 60. The hole 74 can be positioned outside of the fluid flow path 75. An interference fit between the hole 74 in the flat panel heater and the post 76 of the cartridge 14 can secure the flat panel heater 16 to the cartridge 14. It is contemplated that the protrusion 76 can extend from the flat panel heater 16 and the recessed planar wall 60 can include the hole 74. Alternatively or additionally, the flat panel heater 16 can be secured to the cartridge 14 using a clip, snap, or other fastening system.

[0053] It is contemplated that the cartridge 14 can vaporize two different fluid streams simultaneously. In this configuration, the hollow body 42 can include a fluid passage 64 and a second fluid passage 78 between the pump 34 and the fluid opening 54. This configuration can also include a second pump 34 operating in parallel with the first pump 34. For example, the first pump 34 can pump a first fluid through the fluid passage 64 while, at the same time, the second pump 34 can pump a second fluid through the second fluid passage 78. It is contemplated that the primary reservoir 28 can contain the first fluid and the secondary reservoir 26 can contain the second fluid. Alternatively, both fluids can be stored in the hollow body 42. In addition, it is also contemplated that only the second fluid passage 78 is omitted and the two fluids can be combined upstream of the flat heater 16. It is also contemplated that the two fluids can be stored in the same reservoir. It should be understood that in a configuration including the second pump 34 and the second fluid passage 78, both the second pump 34 and the second fluid passage 78 can be part of the fluid flow path 75.

[0054] Although at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, replacements, and alternatives are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the exemplary embodiments. In addition, in the present disclosure, the terms "comprise" or "include" do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms "one" or "an" do not exclude plural numbers, and the term "or" means one or both of them. In addition, the described features or steps may also be used in combination with other features or steps, and in any order, unless otherwise indicated by the disclosure or context.

Claims

1. A cartridge (14) configured to be mounted on a micro-evaporator device (10), the cartridge (14) comprising: a hollow body (42), the hollow body (42) having a concave wall (60); A user interface (40), the user interface (40) being located at one end of the hollow body (42); a liquid reservoir, the liquid reservoir being inside the hollow body (42) and being used to contain liquid; a flat plate heater (16), the flat plate heater (16) being configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid in the liquid reservoir, the flat plate heater (16) being mounted on the concave wall (60) of the hollow body (42); and a vapor passage (68) within the hollow body (42), the vapor passage (68) being configured to deliver the aerosol to the user interface (40); wherein the liquid reservoir and the steam channel (68) extend to the user interface (40), The recessed wall (60) includes two fluid openings (54, 62), and the two fluid openings (54, 62) are configured to be fluidically connected to a fluid channel (52) in the flat heater (16). The first fluid opening of the fluid openings (54, 62) is configured to be connected to the inlet fluid of the flat plate heater (16), so that when in use, liquid from the liquid reservoir flows through the first fluid opening, and the second fluid opening of the fluid openings (54, 62) is configured to be connected to the outlet fluid of the flat plate heater (16), so that when in use, steam generated by the flat plate heater (16) flows through the second fluid opening.

2. The cylinder (14) according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the two fluid openings (54, 62) includes a seal (66).

3. The cartridge (14) of claim 2, wherein the seal (66) is an O-ring.

4. The cylinder (14) according to claim 1, wherein: The recessed wall (60) further includes a mounting structure (44) configured to engage the flat panel heater (16) to align the flat panel heater (16) with the recess (56) within the hollow body (42).

5. The cylinder (14) according to claim 4, wherein: The mounting structure (44) includes a pair of protrusions (76) configured to engage with a corresponding pair of aligned openings (74) in the flat panel heater (16).

6. The cartridge (14) according to claim 1, wherein: The user interface is a suction nozzle.

7. The cartridge (14) according to claim 1, wherein: The flat plate heater (16) completes the fluid path from the reservoir to the steam channel (68).

8. The cartridge (14) according to claim 7, wherein: The hollow body (42) includes an inner wall, one side of which forms a part of the liquid reservoir, and the other side of which forms the steam channel (68).

9. The cartridge (14) according to claim 8, wherein: At least a portion of the liquid reservoir and at least a portion of the steam passage (68) are disposed side by side within the hollow body (42).

10. The cartridge (14) according to claim 1, wherein: A portion of the reservoir is disposed between the flat panel heater (16) and the user interface (40).

11. A micro-vaporizer device (10) configured to deliver an aerosol to the respiratory tract of a user, the micro-vaporizer device (10) comprising: Power (18); and The cylinder (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The micro-evaporator device (10) of claim 11, further comprising a base (12) containing a power source (18) and an electronic circuit (20) configured to control the flat panel heater (16).

13. The micro-evaporator device (10) according to claim 12, wherein: The cylinder (14) is detachably connected to the base (12).

14. The micro-evaporator device (10) according to claim 12, wherein: The base (12) also includes a secondary reservoir (26) configured to supply liquid to the cylinder (14).

15. A cartridge (14) configured to be mounted on a micro-evaporator device (10), the cartridge (14) comprising: A hollow body (42), wherein the hollow body (42) has a groove (56); A user interface (40), the user interface (40) being located at one end of the hollow body (42); a storage tank (28), the storage tank (28) being configured to contain a liquid, the storage tank (28) being contained within the hollow body (42); a flat plate heater (16), the flat plate heater (16) being mounted on the recess (56) of the hollow body (42), the flat plate heater (16) being an integral component, being fluidly connected to the storage tank (28) and the user interface (40), the flat plate heater (16) being configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid; and a vapor passage (68) configured to deliver the aerosol to the user interface (40); wherein the steam channel (68) and the storage tank (28) extend to the user interface (40); wherein the flat plate heater (16) completes a fluid passage from the storage tank (28) to the steam passage (68); The steam channel (68) and the storage tank (28) are arranged adjacent to each other. The groove (56) includes two fluid openings (54, 62), and the two fluid openings (54, 62) are configured to be fluidically connected to a fluid channel (52) in the flat heater (16). The first fluid opening of the fluid openings (54, 62) is configured to be connected to the inlet fluid of the flat plate heater (16), so that when in use, liquid from the storage tank (28) flows through the first fluid opening, and the second fluid opening of the fluid openings (54, 62) is configured to be connected to the outlet fluid of the flat plate heater (16), so that when in use, steam generated by the flat plate heater (16) flows through the second fluid opening.

16. The cartridge (14) according to claim 15, wherein: The flat plate heater (16) is configured such that when the flat plate heater (16) is placed in the groove (56), an outer surface of the flat plate heater (16) is flush with an outer surface (58) of the cylinder (14).

17. The cartridge (14) according to claim 15, wherein: The flat plate heater (16) is configured to be retained in the groove (56) by friction.

18. The cartridge (14) of claim 15, further comprising a pump (34) configured to pump liquid into and out of the storage tank (28).

19. The cartridge (14) according to claim 18, wherein: The pump (34) is configured to pump the liquid into and out of the flat heater (16).

20. The cartridge (14) according to claim 18, wherein: The pump (34) is configured to be driven at predetermined time intervals.

21. The cartridge (14) according to claim 18, wherein: The pump (34) comprises a spiral valve.

22. The cartridge (14) according to claim 21, wherein The spiral valve includes opposing gears.

23. The cartridge (14) according to claim 15, wherein: The hollow body (42) includes an inner wall, one side of which forms a part of the storage tank (28), and the other side of which forms the steam channel (68).

24. The cartridge (14) according to claim 15, wherein: A portion of the storage tank (28) is located between the flat panel heater (16) and the user interface (40).

25. A micro-vaporizer device (10) configured to deliver an aerosol to the respiratory tract of a user, the micro-vaporizer device (10) comprising: Power (18); and A cartridge (14) as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 24.

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