Apparatus and system

Abstract

A vaping device 100 comprises a body 104 having a mouthpiece 106; an airflow passage 110 formed in the body 104 between an upstream inlet 116 and a downstream outlet 112 located in the mouthpiece, an

Description

The present invention relates to vaporisers and more particularly, to vaporisers comprising an illuminated mouthpiece. The popularity and use of devices used to vaporise substances for inhalation (referred to herein as “vape devices”) has grown rapidly in recent years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing vape devices as desirable lifestyle accessories. A vape device utilises a consumable precursor liquid, typically referred to (and referred to herein) as “e-liquid”. The e-liquid is heated by a heater to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. An e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and / or flavourings. In general, a vape device includes a mouthpiece, a power source (typically a battery), a tank or liquid reservoir for containing e-liquid, as well as a heater. In use, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heater, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or “vapour”) which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece. As vape devices are handled by users in everyday environments, it is advantageous for vape devices to be user friendly and to provide users with features and functionality to compliment or ancillary to the primary function of generating an inhalable vapour. One such ancillary function would be teeth whitening, which is particularly advantageous for users with discoloured teeth including former smokers. Various devices and techniques have been developed to address teeth whitening and oral hygiene. Traditional methods involve the use of toothpastes, mouthwashes, and teeth whitening kits that contain active whitening ingredients (such as hydrogen peroxide) which removes stains. When applied to teeth, the active ingredient acts as a catalyst for an oxidation reaction to occur. The oxidation reaction breaks down the bonds of discoloured molecules, causing the stains to disappear, resulting in whiter teeth. Although applied for only a short period of time, the active ingredient typically remains active on teeth for 12 to 24 hours after application. The drawback is that these whitening methods often require separate applications and additional time commitments, leading to inconvenience and a lack of efficiency. Additionally, many of these products lack convenience and portability, limiting their use to specific locations or times of day. Consequently, users face challenges in maintaining a consistent tooth whitening routine, impacting the desired outcome of a whiter smile. The present invention seeks to provide functionality complimentary or ancillary to the primary function of generating an inhalable vapour. One solution is to leverage a user’s vaping habit to make it conducive to teeth whitening. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vape device comprising: a body having a mouthpiece; an airflow passage formed in the body between an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet located in the mouthpiece; an atomiser for generating a vapour, the atomiser in fluid communication with the airflow passage; a sensor means; a control means; a radiation source located in a region of the mouthpiece; and an electrical power source for supplying electrical power to the sensor means, the atomiser and the radiation source, wherein the control means is configured to connect the radiation source and atomiser to the electrical power source in response to sensing of a defined condition by the sensor means. The present invention addresses the aforementioned problems by providing a vape device equipped with a built-in radiation source in a region of the mouthpiece, allowing users to simultaneously enjoy their vaping experience while receiving teeth whitening benefits. Advantageously, application of radiation can speed up the chemical reaction of the pre-applied active whitening ingredient that removes stains from teeth. As a result, more stains can be removed during the 12 to 24 hours that the active ingredient is present on a user’s teeth, increasing the effectiveness of whitening agents, allowing for brighter and whiter teeth. The integration of a radiation source within the mouthpiece ensures efficient and convenient teeth whitening without requiring separate applications or additional time commitments. Optionally, the radiation source comprises a light emitting diode. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) require minimal power, are long lasting, and do not require a warming up period to be effective. They are also much cooler due to their ability to dissipate heat quickly, reducing the potential for the device to overheat. Optionally, the light emitting diode emits an ultra-violet (UV) light. UV light is particularly adept at activating the active ingredient molecules to break down stains on teeth without radiating heat. The vape device with a UV light in the mouthpiece utilises the inherent nature of vaping, leveraging the user's habit and making it conducive to teeth whitening. When the user inhales through the mouthpiece, the UV light is activated, emitting a safe and controlled amount of ultraviolet radiation onto their teeth. This exposure aids in the removal of stains and discoloration, resulting in a visibly whiter smile. By combining the act of vaping with teeth whitening capabilities, the present invention overcomes the limitations of traditional teeth whitening methods. Users can now conveniently incorporate teeth whitening into their daily routines without requiring separate products or additional time commitments. The integration of the UV light within the vape pen's mouthpiece ensures portability, allowing users to maintain their oral hygiene wherever and whenever they choose to vape. Optionally, the device comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes. Increasing the number of LEDs will result in an increase in the intensity of emitted light. Optionally, the sensor is a ‘normally open’ switch. The default position of a ‘normally open’ switch is ‘off, breaking electrical contact between the radiation source, atomiser and power source when not in use. The user is required to actively actuate the switch to connect the radiation source and atomiser to the power source to operate the device. This prevents the device being powered when not in use. Optionally, the ‘normally open’ switch comprises an airflow detector. The use of an airflow detector simplifies operation of the device for the user so that the operation of producing a vapour and activation of the radiation source is actuated by a single inhalation. Optionally, the airflow detector is positioned in the airflow passage. Optionally, the control means is configured to connect the light source and atomiser to the electrical power source if the detected airflow exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The use of a predetermined threshold value prevents the device from inadvertently activating as a result of unaided air flow through the device. Optionally, the control means is configured to disconnect the light source and atomiser from the electrical power source if the detected airflow falls below the predetermined threshold value. Optionally, the ‘normally open’ switch comprises a push button, configured to be actuated by a user of the device. Optionally, the mouthpiece has a conical profile. A conical profile has the benefit of increasing the amount of total internal reflection of light passing through the mouthpiece. Optionally, the mouthpiece comprises a convex lens portion. A convex lens portion has the benefit of increasing the resultant beam spread of emitted light increasing the area of incident light in a user’s mouth. Optionally, the mouthpiece comprises a concave lens portion. A concave lens portion has the benefit of focusing the resultant beam to target the incident light on specific areas in a user’s mouth. Optionally, the mouthpiece is translucent, transparent or opaque. Optionally, the radiation source is mounted at an interface between the mouthpiece and the body of the device. Optionally, the device comprises a reflective surface at the interface of the device. The reflective surface has the benefit of reflecting light in the direction of the user’s mouth when in use. Optionally, the radiation source is encapsulated in the mouthpiece. Optionally, the mouthpiece is formed from one of a polycarbonate, thermoplastics, plastics polymer, resin or high index material. One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical through cross-section of a vape device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a vaping system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3a is a part exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3b is a part exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3c is a part exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece, in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 3d is a part exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a device 100 for generating an aerosol vapour from an e-liquid 102. The device 100 is configured to emit an ultra-violet light upon generation of the aerosol vapour by a user of the device 100. The device 100 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a tubular body 104 which is generally elongate having a mouthpiece 106 formed at its upper end. The tubular body 104 of the device 100 comprises an integrally formed tank 108 proximal its upper end which houses the e-liquid 102. A conduit 110 extends centrally through the mouthpiece 106 in a longitudinal direction of the device 100 from an outlet 112 formed at an upper end of the mouthpiece 106, and extends through the tank 108, terminating in an atomising chamber 114. The atomising chamber 114 is downstream of one or more air inlets 116 formed in the body 104 of the device 100 and is in fluid communication with the outlet 112 such that air can be drawn into and through the device 100 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 106. The mouthpiece 106 may be formed from any suitable translucent lens material including, but not limited to a polycarbonate, thermoplastics, plastics polymer, resin or high index materials, and encapsulates two light emitting diodes (LEDs) 118 positioned on an upper surface 120 of the body 104 of the device 100 on diametrically opposing sides of the conduit 110. The LEDs 118 emit an ultraviolet (UV) light having a wavelength in the range of 100 - 400 nm. The LEDs 118 may be configured to illuminate when the device 100 is activated. The translucent lens material of the mouthpiece 106 is chosen specifically to increase UV light transmittance through the mouthpiece 106 and reduce absorption of UV light. The upper surface 120 of the body 104 of the device 100 may be provided with a reflective surface (not shown) to reflect and direct emitted light in the direction of the user’s mouth when in use. In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the mouthpiece 106 is elongate, having a rectangular cross-sectional profile. However, it will be understood that the profile shape of the mouthpiece 106 can be altered to either increase or reduce the beam spread of UV light transmitted through the mouthpiece 106. For example, the uppermost surface 122 of the mouthpiece 106 illustrated in Figure 3c is concave to reduce the beam spread of UV light. In an alternative example, illustrated in Figure 3d, the uppermost surface 122 of the mouthpiece 106 is convex, intended to increase the beam spread of UV light. In addition, the mouthpiece 106 may be conically tapered towards the upper end of the device 100, as shown in Figure 3a to reduce the amount of total internal reflection of UV light emitted from the LEDs 118, passing through the mouthpiece 106, to decrease the transmitted beam intensity. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 106 may be conically tapered towards the lower end of the device 100, as shown in Figure 3b to increase the amount of total internal reflection of UV light passing through the mouthpiece 106, to increase the transmitted beam intensity. Referring back to Figure 1, the atomising chamber 114 comprises a porous material 124 which extends into the tank 108 so as to be in contact with the e-liquid 102. In this way, the e-liquid 102 is transported along the porous material 124 by capillary action to a central portion of the porous material 124 that is exposed to airflow in the atomising chamber 114. A heat source 126 in contact with porous material 124 heats the e-liquid 102 causing the liquid to vaporise and to be entrained in the air flowing past the porous material 124. The vapourised liquid may cool to form an aerosol in the conduit 110, which may then be inhaled by a user. The tubular body of the device 100 also includes a power source 128, a controller 130 and optionally, one or more components (not shown). The power source 128 is a battery, and more preferably, a rechargeable battery and is configured to supply electrical power to the electrical components of the device 100 including the LEDs 118, controller 130 and heat source 126 (the electrical connections are not shown for simplicity). The controller 130 may include a microprocessor and a memory which includes programmable instructions which, when implemented, cause the controller 130 to perform one or more method steps (described in more detail below). The additional components may comprise a charging port (e.g. a USB or micro-USB port) configured to receive power from a charging station (i.e. when the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery). This may be located at a lower end of the tubular body 104. The additional components may also include a charging control circuit (not shown) for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. Referring now to Figure 2, the controller 130 may regulate the electrical connection between both the LEDs 118, heat source 126 and the power source 128 by way of a physical and / or logical switch, such as a normally open (NO) switch 132 which, in its default state, makes no electrical contact with the circuit. Only once activated does the switch 132 make electrical contact with the circuit, providing electrical power to the LEDs 118 and heating source 126, concurrently. Once deactivated, the NO switch 132 returns to its default state, breaking electrical contact and disconnecting the LEDs 118 and heating source 126 from the power source 128. An air flow sensor (not shown) may be positioned in the fluid path between the inlets 116 and outlet 112 and configured to detect airflow through the device 100, e.g., caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 106. The air flow sensor may be electrically connected to and provide input to the controller 130 to actuate the NO switch 132. Alternatively, the switch 132 may be activated by a push button (not shown) mounted on the body 104 of the device 100 and actuated by a user. In operation, a user activates the device 100, either through interaction with the push button mounted on the body 104 of the device 100 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 106 as described above. Upon activation, the controller 130 may supply electrical energy from the power source 128 to the heat source and LEDs, concurrently. The supply of electrical power to the heat source results in an increase in temperature of the porous material 124 which may cause the e-liquid 102 drawn from the tank 108 to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the outlet 112 of the mouthpiece 106. At the same time, the supply of electrical power to the LEDs 118 results in the generation of a UV light which is transmitted through the translucent mouthpiece 106 and is incident on a user’s teeth. The illustrated device 100 in Figure 1 is an open system device, wherein the tank 108 of the device 100 may be accessible for refilling the e-liquid 102. It should be appreciated that in other examples (i.e. in a closed system device), the tank 108 is not integrally formed with the body 104 of the device 100 but is sealed and intended for single-use only. In closed system examples, the sealed tank is removably engageable with the body 104 of the device 100 (i.e. for removal and replacement). It should also be appreciated that the device 100 shown in Figure 1 is just one exemplary implementation of the present invention. For example, the device could otherwise be in the form of an entirely disposable (single-use) system. All of the systems, apparatus, and / or methods disclosed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While they have been described in terms of particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the systems, apparatus, and / or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the inventive concept(s). All such similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the inventive concept(s) as defined by the appended claims. The use of the term “a” or “an” in the present disclosure (including the claims) may mean “one,” as well as “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” As such, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the,” as well as all singular terms, include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Likewise, plural terms shall include the singular unless otherwise required by context. The use of the term “or” in the present disclosure (including the claims) is used to mean an inclusive “and / or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or unless the alternatives are mutually exclusive. As used in the present disclosure (including the claims), the words “comprising”, “having”, “including”, or “containing” (and any forms thereof, such as “comprise” and “comprises”, “have” and “has”, “includes” and “include”, or “contains” and “contain”, respectively) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. Unless otherwise explicitly stated as incompatible, or the physics or otherwise of the embodiments, example, or claims prevent such a combination, the features of the foregoing embodiments and examples, and of the following claims may be integrated together in any suitable arrangement, especially ones where there is a beneficial effect in doing so. This is not limited to only any specified benefit, and instead may arise from an “ex post facto” benefit. This is to say that the combination of features is not limited by the described forms, particularly the form (e.g., numbering) of the example(s), embodiment(s), or dependency of the claim(s). Moreover, this also applies to the phrase “in one embodiment,” “according to an embodiment,” and the like, which are merely a stylistic form of wording and are not to be construed as limiting the following features to a separate embodiment to all other instances of the same or similar wording. This is to say, a reference to ‘an,’ ‘one,’ or ‘some’ embodiment(s) may be a reference to any one or more, and / or all embodiments, or combination(s) 5 thereof, disclosed. Also, similarly, the reference to “the” embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment. Further, all references to one or more embodiments or examples are to be construed as non-limiting to the claims. As used herein, the term “aerosol generating apparatus” or “aerosol delivery apparatus” or “apparatus” 10 or “electronic(e)-cigarette” may include apparatus to deliver an aerosol to a user for inhalation. The apparatus may also be referred to as a “smoking substitute apparatus”, which may refer to apparatus intended to be used instead of a conventional combustible smoking article. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent upon examination of the attached drawings 15 and appended claims.

Claims

1. A vape device comprising:a body having a mouthpiece wherein the mouthpiece is translucent;an airflow passage formed in the body between an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet located in the mouthpiece;an atomiser for generating a vapour, the atomiser in fluid communication with the airflow passage;a sensor means;a control means;a radiation source encapsulated in the mouthpiece; andan electrical power source for supplying electrical power to the radiation source, the sensor means and the atomiser, wherein the control means is configured to connect the radiation source and atomiser to the electrical power source in response to sensing of a defined condition by the sensor means.

2. The vape device of claim 1, wherein the radiation source comprises a light emitting diode.

3. The vape device of claim 2, wherein the light emitting diode emits an ultra-violet light.

4. The vape device of any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes.

5. The vape device of any preceding claim, wherein the sensor is a ‘normally open’ switch.

6. The vape device of claim 5, wherein the ‘normally open’ switch comprises an airflow detector.

7. The vape device of claim 6, wherein the airflow detector is positioned in the airflow passage.

8. The vape device of claim 7, wherein the control means is configured to connect the light sourceand atomiser to the electrical power source if the detected airflow exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

9. The vape device of claim 8, wherein the control means is configured to disconnect the light source and atomiser from the electrical power source if the detected airflow falls below the predetermined threshold value.

10. The vape device of any claims 1 to 5, wherein the ‘normally open’ switch comprises a push button, configured to be actuated by a user of the device.

11. The vape device of any preceding claim, wherein the mouthpiece has a conical profile.

12. The vape device of any preceding claim, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a convex lensportion.

13. The vape device of any preceding claim, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a concave lens portion.

14. The vape device of any preceding claim, wherein the mouthpiece is formed from one of a polycarbonate, thermoplastics, plastics polymer, resin or high index material.

15. The vape device of any preceding claim, wherein the radiation source is mounted at an interfacebetween the mouthpiece and the body of the device.

16. The vape device of claim 15, wherein the device comprises a reflective surface at the interface5 of the device.

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