Non-nicotine e-vaping device with non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level detection and automatic shutdown

Abstract

The device assembly includes a controller configured to control the non-nicotine e-vaporing device to output an indication of a current level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in a non-nicotine reservoir included in the non-nicotine pod assembly in response to determining that a total amount of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir or an updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] One or more exemplary embodiments relate to a non-nicotine e-vaping device. [Background technology]

[0002] A non-nicotine electronic vaping device (or non-nicotine e-vaping device) includes a heater that vaporizes a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation material to produce a non-nicotine vapor. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device may include several non-nicotine electronic vaping elements, including a power source, a non-nicotine cartridge or non-nicotine e-vaping tank that includes the heater, and a non-nicotine reservoir that can hold the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation material.

[0003] [Summary] In at least one exemplary embodiment, a non-nicotine electronic vaping device is provided having a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device assembly configured to engage with the non-nicotine pod assembly. The non-nicotine pod assembly includes a memory, a non-nicotine reservoir, and a heater. The memory stores non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameters and a total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The non-nicotine reservoir holds a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The heater vaporizes the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir. The device assembly includes a controller. The controller: estimating an amount of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during the puff event based on the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameters retrieved from the memory and a total amount of power provided to the heater during the puff event; determining an updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation based on the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in the memory and the amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during the puff event; determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold; controlling the non-nicotine e-vaporing device to output an indication of a current level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold.

[0004] In at least one other exemplary embodiment, a non-nicotine electronic vaping device is provided having a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device assembly configured to engage with the non-nicotine pod assembly. The non-nicotine pod assembly includes a non-nicotine reservoir, a heater, and a memory. The non-nicotine reservoir holds a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The heater vaporizes the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir. The memory stores non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameters and a total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir. The device assembly includes a controller. The controller: estimating an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir during the puff event based on the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameter and a total amount of power provided to the heater during the puff event; determining an updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir based on a total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir stored in the memory and an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir during the puff event; determining that an updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold; controlling the non-nicotine e-vaporing device to output an indication of a current level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir in response to determining that the updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold. It is configured as follows.

[0005] In at least one other exemplary embodiment, a non-nicotine electronic vaping device having a controller is provided. The controller obtains an empty flag from a memory; the memory is included in a non-nicotine pod assembly inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device; the empty flag is a flag indicating that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly is depleted; Disabling vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device based on the empty flag retrieved from the memory. It is configured as follows.

[0006] In at least one other exemplary embodiment, a method of controlling a non-nicotine electronic vaping device includes: a non-nicotine reservoir; and a heater; the non-nicotine reservoir holds a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; The heater vaporizes the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; estimating an amount of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized by the heater during the puff event based on a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameter and a total amount of power provided to the heater during the puff event; determining an updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation based on a total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in memory and an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during said puff event; determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold; in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold, outputting an indication of a current level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir. A method is provided.

[0007] In at least one other exemplary embodiment, a method of controlling a non-nicotine electronic vaping device includes: The non-nicotine electronic vaping device includes a non-nicotine reservoir and a heater, the non-nicotine reservoir holds a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; The heater vaporizes the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; estimating an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir during the puff event based on a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameter and a total amount of power provided to the heater during the puff event; determining an updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir based on a total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir and an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir during the puff event, the total amount being stored in a memory; determining that an updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold; in response to determining that the updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold, outputting an indication of a current level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir. A method is provided.

[0008] In at least one other exemplary embodiment, a method of controlling a non-nicotine electronic vaping device includes: The non-nicotine electronic vaping device includes a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device assembly, Get the empty flag from memory, the memory is included in the non-nicotine pod assembly inserted into the device assembly; the empty flag is a flag indicating that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly is depleted; disabling vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device based on the empty flag retrieved from the memory. A method is provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] Various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein will become more apparent upon consideration of the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are provided merely for illustration purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings should not be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. For clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may be exaggerated.

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0011] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG.

[0012] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG.

[0013] [Figure 4] 4 is a proximal end view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 1.

[0014] [Diagram 5] 5 is a distal end view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 1.

[0015] [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 1.

[0016] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the pod inlet in FIG.

[0017] [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 6.

[0018] [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device body of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG.

[0019] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the device main body of FIG.

[0020] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through hole in FIG.

[0021] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the device electrical contacts of FIG.

[0022] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partial exploded view including the mouthpiece in FIG.

[0023] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a partial exploded view including the bezel structure of FIG.

[0024] [Figure 15] 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the mouthpiece, spring, retaining structure, and bezel structure of FIG.

[0025] [Figure 16] 16 is a partial exploded perspective view including the front cover, the frame, and the rear cover in FIG.

[0026] [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a non-nicotine pod assembly of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG.

[0027] [Figure 18] 18 is another perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17. FIG.

[0028] [Figure 19]19 is another perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 18. FIG.

[0029] [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 19 without the connector module.

[0030] [Figure 21] 21 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG.

[0031] [Figure 22] 22 is another perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 21. FIG.

[0032] [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view including the wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact core of FIG. 22.

[0033] [Figure 24] 24 is an exploded perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17 including a first housing portion.

[0034] [Diagram 25] 25 is a partially exploded perspective view including a second housing portion of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17. FIG.

[0035] [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the activation pin of FIG. 25.

[0036] [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 22 without the wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact cores.

[0037] [Figure 28] 28 is an exploded perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 27. FIG.

[0038] [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the electrical system of the device body and non-nicotine pod assembly of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0039] [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a simple block diagram illustrating a non-nicotine prevapor formulation depletion and automatic shutdown control system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0040] [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a flow chart illustrating a method for detecting levels of a non-nicotine prevapor formulation according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0041] [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a method of operation of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device following shutdown of the vape function in response to detection of a hard pod fault event, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0042] [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a heater voltage measurement circuit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0043] [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a heater current measurement circuit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0044] [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is a circuit diagram illustrating a heated engine shutdown circuit according to some illustrative embodiments.

[0045] [Diagram 36] FIG. 36 is a circuit diagram illustrating a heated engine shutdown circuit according to some other example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Several detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing the exemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to only the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

[0047] Thus, while exemplary embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, exemplary embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the exemplary embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0048] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," "attached to," "adjacent to," or "covering" another element or layer, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to, or covering the other element or layer, or that intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. As used herein, like numbers refer to like elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations or subcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0049] In this specification, terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, regions, layers, and / or sections, but it should be understood that these elements, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, region, layer, or section described below can be referred to as a second element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0050] For ease of description, spatially relative terms (e.g., "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," etc.) may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as depicted in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device during use and operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" may encompass both an orientation above and below. Also, the device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees, oriented in other directions, etc.) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein would be interpreted accordingly.

[0051] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing various exemplary embodiments only and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and / or "comprising," as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, and / or elements, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or groups thereof.

[0052] In this specification, when the words "about" and "substantially" are used in connection with numerical values, unless expressly defined otherwise, the associated numerical value is intended to include a tolerance of ±10% around the stated numerical value.

[0053] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments belong. Terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0054] The hardware may be implemented using processing or control circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more systems on a chip (SoCs), one or more programmable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other device or devices capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.

[0055] As used herein, "non-nicotine electronic vaping device" or "non-nicotine e-vaping device" may sometimes be referred to as "non-nicotine electronic vape device" and / or "non-nicotine e-vaping device" and may be considered synonymous with these terms.

[0056] FIG. 1 is a front view of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 includes a device body 100 configured to receive a non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is a modular article configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. A "non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation" is a material or combination of materials that can be converted into vapor. For example, a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be, but is not limited to, a liquid, solid, and / or gel formulation that includes water, beads, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, botanical extracts, natural or artificial flavors, and / or vapor-forming agents such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the non-nicotine prevapor formulation does not contain tobacco or is not derived from tobacco. The non-nicotine compound of the non-nicotine prevapor formulation may be part of or contained in a liquid or partial liquid, including an extract, oil, alcohol, tincture, suspension, dispersion, colloid, general non-neutral (weakly acidic or weakly basic) solution, or a combination thereof. During preparation of the non-nicotine prevapor formulation, the non-nicotine compound may be injected, mixed, or otherwise combined with other components of the non-nicotine prevapor formulation.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, the non-nicotine compounds undergo a slow, natural decarboxylation process over an extended period of time at relatively low temperatures, including room temperature (e.g., 72° F.) or below. Additionally, the non-nicotine compounds may undergo a significantly increased decarboxylation process (e.g., greater than 50% decarboxylation) when exposed to relatively low pressures, such as 1 atmosphere, for a period of time (minutes or hours), particularly elevated temperatures in the range of about 175° F. or above. High temperatures of about 240° F. or above can cause rapid or instantaneous decarboxylation with a relatively high decarboxylation rate, but even higher temperatures may cause some or all of the degradation of the chemical properties of the non-nicotine compound(s).

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, the non-nicotine compound may be derived from a medicinal plant (e.g., a naturally occurring component of a plant that provides a medically recognized therapeutic effect). The medicinal plant may be a cannabis plant, and the component may be at least one cannabis-derived component. Cannabinoids (e.g., phytocannabinoids) and terpenes are examples of cannabis-derived components. Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the body and produce a variety of effects. As such, cannabinoids are used for a variety of medicinal purposes. The cannabis-derived material may include leaves and / or flower material from one or more cannabis plants, or an extract from one or more cannabis plants. For example, the one or more species of cannabis plant may include Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. In some exemplary embodiments, the non-nicotine prevapor formulation comprises 60-80% (e.g., 70%) Cannabis sativa and 20-40% (e.g., 30%) Cannabis indica, or a mixture of cannabis and / or cannabis-derived components.

[0060] Non-limiting examples of cannabinoids derived from cannabis include tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabigerol (CBG). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is the precursor of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol acid (CBDA) is the precursor of cannabidiol (CBD). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiol acid (CBDA) can be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), respectively, via heating. In an exemplary embodiment, the heat from the heater may cause decarboxylation to convert tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and / or decarboxylation to convert cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to cannabidiol (CBD).

[0061] In examples where both tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are present in the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, decarboxylation and the resulting conversion will cause a decrease in tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and an increase in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) may be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) via a decarboxylation process during heating of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation for vaporization. Similarly, in examples where both cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabidiol (CBD) are present in the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, decarboxylation and the resulting conversion will cause a decrease in cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and an increase in cannabidiol (CBD). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of the cannabidiol acid (CBDA) may be converted to cannabidiol (CBD) via a decarboxylation process during heating of the non-nicotine prevapor formulation for vaporization.

[0062] Non-nicotine prevapor formulations may include non-nicotine compounds that provide a medically recognized therapeutic effect (e.g., treatment of pain, nausea, epilepsy, psychiatric disorders). Details of the therapeutic methods are described in U.S. Application No. 15 / 845,501, entitled "VAPORIZING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A COMPOUND USING THE SAME," filed December 18, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one flavor valant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.2% to about 15% (e.g., about 1% to 12%, about 2% to 10%, or about 5% to 8%) based on the total weight of the non-nicotine prevapor formulation. The at least one flavor valant may be at least one of a natural flavor valant, an artificial flavor valant, or a combination of a natural flavor valant and an artificial flavor valant. The at least one flavor valant may include volatile cannabis flavor compounds (flavonoids) or other flavor compounds instead of or in addition to cannabis flavor compounds. For example, the at least one flavor valant may include menthol, wintergreen, peppermint, cinnamon, clove, combinations thereof, and / or extracts thereof. Additionally, flavor valant may be included to provide other herbal flavors, fruit flavors, nut flavors, booze flavors, roasted flavors, mint flavors, savory flavors, combinations thereof, and any other desired flavors.

[0064] During vaping, the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is configured to heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to generate vapor. As referred to herein, "non-nicotine vapor" is any substance produced or output from any non-nicotine electronic vaping device according to any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

[0065] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 extends in a longitudinal direction and has a length greater than its width. Additionally, as shown in Figure 2, the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is characterized by a length greater than its thickness. Additionally, the width of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may be greater than its thickness. Assuming an xyz Cartesian coordinate system, the length of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may be measured in the y direction, the width may be measured in the x direction, and the thickness may be measured in the z direction. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may have a substantially straight form with tapered ends based on its front, side, and rear views, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0066] The device body 100 includes a front cover 104, a frame 106, and a rear cover 108. The front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 form a device housing that encloses mechanical elements, electronic elements, and / or circuitry related to the operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. For example, the device housing of the device body 100 can enclose a power source configured to provide power to the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500, which can include providing current to the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The device housing of the device body 100 can also include one or more electrical systems for controlling the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. Electrical systems according to exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below. Additionally, when assembled, the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 may constitute a majority of the visible portion of the device body 100.

[0067] The front cover 104 (e.g., a first cover) defines a primary opening configured to accommodate the bezel structure 112. The primary opening may have a rounded rectangular shape, although other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the bezel structure 112. The bezel structure 112 defines a through hole 150 configured to receive the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The through hole 150 is discussed in more detail herein, for example, in connection with FIG. 9.

[0068] The front cover 104 also defines a secondary opening configured to accommodate the light guide arrangement. The secondary opening may resemble a slot (e.g., an elongated rectangle with rounded edges), although other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the light guide arrangement. In an exemplary embodiment, the light guide arrangement includes a light guide housing 114 and a button housing 122. The light guide housing 114 is configured to expose a light guide lens 116, and the button housing 122 is configured to expose a first button lens 124 and a second button lens 126 (e.g., FIG. 16). The first button lens 124 and an upstream portion of the button housing 122 may form a first button 118. Similarly, the second button lens 126 and a downstream portion of the button housing 122 may form a second button 120. The button housing 122 may be in the form of a single structure or two separate structures. In the latter configuration, the first button 118 and the second button 120 may move with a more independent feel when pressed.

[0069] Operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may be controlled by a first button 118 and a second button 120. For example, the first button 118 may be a power button and the second button 120 may be an intensity button. Although two buttons are shown in the drawings in association with the light guide arrangement, it should be understood that more (or fewer) buttons may be provided depending on the available functionality and desired user interface.

[0070] The frame 106 (e.g., a base frame) is the central support structure of the device body 100 (and the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 as a whole). The frame 106 may also be referred to as a chassis. The frame 106 includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of sides between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end and the distal end may also be referred to as the downstream end and the upstream end, respectively. As used herein, "proximal" (and conversely "distal") is in relation to an adult vaper during vaping, and "downstream" (and conversely "upstream") is in relation to the flow of vapor. For additional strength and stability, a bridge may be provided between the opposing inner surfaces of the side sections (e.g., about halfway along the length of the frame 106). The frame 106 may be integrally formed to be a monolithic structure.

[0071] With regard to materials of construction, the frame 106 may be formed of an alloy or plastic. The alloy (e.g., die-cast grade, machinable grade) may be an aluminum (Al) alloy or a zinc (Zn) alloy. The plastic may be polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or a combination thereof (PC / ABS). For example, the polycarbonate may be LUPOY SC1004A. Additionally, the frame 106 may be provided with a surface finish for functional and / or aesthetic reasons (e.g., to provide a premium appearance). In an exemplary embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of an aluminum alloy) may be anodized. In another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of a zinc alloy) may be coated with a hard enamel or may be painted. In another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of a polycarbonate) may be metallized. In yet another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) may be electroplated. It should be understood that the materials of construction for the frame 106 may also be applied to the front cover 104, the rear cover 108, and / or other suitable components of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0072] The rear cover 108 (e.g., the second cover) also defines an opening configured to accommodate the bezel structure 112. The opening may have a rounded rectangular shape, although other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the bezel structure 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the opening in the rear cover 108 is smaller than the primary opening in the front cover 104. Additionally, although not shown, it should be understood that a light guide arrangement (e.g., including a button) may be provided on the rear side of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 in addition to (or instead of) the light guide arrangement on the front side of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0073] The front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via a snap-fit ​​arrangement. For example, the front cover 104 and / or the rear cover 108 may include a clip configured to interface with a corresponding mating member of the frame 106. In a non-limiting embodiment, the clip may be in the form of a tab having an orifice configured to receive a corresponding mating member of the frame 106 (e.g., a protrusion having a beveled edge). Alternatively, the front cover 104 and / or the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via an interference fit (sometimes referred to as a press fit or friction fit). However, it should be understood that the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 may be coupled using other suitable arrangements and techniques.

[0074] The device body 100 also includes a mouthpiece 102. The mouthpiece 102 may be secured to a proximal end of a frame 106. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment in which the frame 106 is sandwiched between the front cover 104 and the rear cover 108, as shown in FIG. 2, the mouthpiece 102 may be adjacent to the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108. Additionally, in a non-limiting embodiment, the mouthpiece 102 may be joined to the device housing via a bayonet connection.

[0075] FIG. 4 is a proximal end view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 defines a plurality of vapor outlets. In a non-limiting embodiment, the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 may be elliptical. Additionally, the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 may include a first crossbar corresponding to a major axis of the elliptical outlet surface and a second crossbar corresponding to a minor axis of the elliptical outlet surface. Additionally, the first crossbar and the second crossbar may intersect perpendicularly and be integrally formed parts of the mouthpiece 102. Although the outlet surface is shown defining four vapor outlets, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment is not so limited. For example, the outlet surface may define less than four (e.g., one, two) vapor outlets, or more than four (e.g., six, eight) vapor outlets.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a distal end view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 5, the distal end of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 includes a port 110. The port 110 is configured to receive current from an external power source (e.g., via a USB cable) to charge an internal power source within the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. Additionally, the port 110 may also be configured to transmit data to and / or receive data from (e.g., via a USB cable) another non-nicotine electronic vaping device or other electronic device (e.g., phone, tablet, computer). Additionally, the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with another electronic device, such as a phone, via application software (app) installed on the electronic device. In such an example, an adult vaper may control or otherwise interface (e.g., locate the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, review usage information, change operating parameters) with the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 via the app.

[0077] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a close-up view of the pod inlet in FIG. 6. With reference to FIGS. 6-7, and as briefly described above, the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 includes a non-nicotine pod assembly 300 configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has an upstream end (which faces the light guide arrangement) and a downstream end (which faces the mouthpiece 102). In a non-limiting embodiment, the upstream end is the opposite face of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 from the downstream end. The upstream end of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 defines a pod inlet 322. The device body 100 defines a through hole (e.g., through hole 150 of FIG. 9) configured to receive the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the bezel structure 112 of the device body 100 defines the through hole and includes an upstream rim. As shown particularly in FIG. 7, the upstream rim of the bezel structure 112 is angled (e.g., recessed inward) to expose the pod inlet 322 when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is seated within the through-hole of the device body 100.

[0078] For example, rather than following the contour of the front cover 104 (so as to be relatively flush with the front surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, thus obscuring the pod inlet 322), the upstream rim of the bezel structure 112 is in the form of a scoop configured to direct ambient air to the pod inlet 322. This angled / scooped configuration may help reduce or prevent blockage of the air inlet (e.g., the pod inlet 322) of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. The depth of the scoop may be such that less than half (e.g., less than a quarter) of the upstream end face of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is exposed. Furthermore, in a non-limiting embodiment, the pod inlet 322 is in the form of a slot. Furthermore, when the device body 100 is considered to extend in a first direction, the slot may be considered to extend in a second direction, the second direction being transverse to the first direction.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 6. In FIG. 8, the cross-section is taken along the longitudinal axis of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. As shown, the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 include mechanical elements, electronic elements, and / or circuits associated with the operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500, which are discussed in more detail herein and / or incorporated by reference herein. For example, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may include mechanical elements configured to be actuated to release a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from an internal sealed non-nicotine reservoir. The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may also have mechanical sides configured to engage with the device body 100 to facilitate insertion and seating of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0080] Furthermore, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be a "smart pod" that includes electronic elements and / or circuitry configured to store, receive, and / or transmit information to and from the device body 100. Such information may be used to authenticate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 for use with the device body 100 (e.g., to prevent the use of unauthorized / counterfeit non-nicotine pod assemblies). Furthermore, the information may be used to identify the type of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, which is then correlated with a vape profile based on the identified type. The vape profile may be designed to define general parameters for the heating of a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, which may be adjusted, modified, or otherwise adjusted by an adult vaper before and / or during vaping.

[0081] The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may also communicate other information with the device body 100 that may be relevant to the operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. Examples of relevant information may include the level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and / or the amount of time that has elapsed since the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 was inserted into the device body 100 and activated. For example, if the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 was inserted into the device body 100 and activated more than a certain period of time ago (e.g., more than six months ago), the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may not permit vaping and the adult vaper may be prompted to change to a new non-nicotine pod assembly even if the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 still contains a sufficient level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0082] The device body 100 may include mechanical elements (e.g., complementary structures) configured to engage, hold, and / or actuate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Additionally, the device body 100 may include electronic elements and / or circuitry configured to receive electrical current to charge an internal power source (e.g., a battery) configured to power the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 during vaping. Additionally, the device body 100 may include electronic elements and / or circuitry configured to communicate with the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, different non-nicotine electronic vaping devices, other electronic devices (e.g., phones, tablets, computers), and / or adult vapers. The communicated information may include pod-specific data, current vaping details, and / or past vaping patterns / history. The adult vaper may be notified of such communication with feedback that is tactile (e.g., vibration), auditory (e.g., beep), and / or visual (e.g., colored / flashing lights). Charging and / or communication of information may occur using port 110 (eg, via a USB cable).

[0083] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device body of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 9, the bezel structure 112 of the device body 100 defines a through hole 150. The through hole 150 is configured to receive the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. To facilitate the insertion and seating of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the through hole 150, the upstream rim of the bezel structure 112 includes a first upstream protrusion 128a and a second upstream protrusion 128b. The through hole 150 may have a rectangular shape with rounded corners. In an exemplary embodiment, the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b are integrally formed with the bezel structure 112 and are located at two rounded corners of the upstream rim.

[0084] The downstream wall of the bezel structure 112 may define a first downstream opening, a second downstream opening, and a third downstream opening. The retaining structure including the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b is engaged with the bezel structure 112 such that the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b protrude into the through hole 150 through the first downstream opening and the second downstream opening of the bezel structure 112, respectively. Additionally, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 extends through the third downstream opening of the bezel structure 112 and into the through hole 150 so as to be between the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b.

[0085] Fig. 10 is a front view showing the device body of Fig. 9. Referring to Fig. 10, the device body 100 includes a device electrical connector 132 disposed upstream of the through hole 150. The device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 is configured to electrically engage with the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 seated in the through hole 150. As a result, power can be supplied from the device body 100 to the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132 during vaping. Furthermore, data can be transmitted to and / or received from the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132.

[0086] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through hole in FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 11, the first upstream protrusion 128a, the second upstream protrusion 128b, the first downstream protrusion 130a, the second downstream protrusion 130b, and the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 protrude into the through hole 150. In an exemplary embodiment, the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b are stationary structures (e.g., stationary pivots), and the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are retractable structures (e.g., retractable members). For example, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b may be configured to default to the retracted state (e.g., spring-loaded) while being configured to temporarily transition to the retracted state (and reversibly return to the retracted state) to facilitate insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0087] In particular, when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100, the recess on the upstream end surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may first engage with the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b, and then the non-nicotine pod assembly may oscillate (around the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b) until the recess on the downstream end surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 engages with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b. In such an example, the rotation axis (during pivoting) of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100. Furthermore, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, which may be biased for ease of handling, can retract and resiliently expand to engage with a recess in the downstream end surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is pivoted into the through hole 150. Furthermore, the engagement of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b with the recess in the downstream end surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 can generate tactile and / or auditory feedback (e.g., an audible click) to inform the adult vaper that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly attached to the through hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0088] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the device electrical contacts in FIG. 10. The device electrical contacts of the device body 100 are configured to engage with the pod electrical contacts of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is seated in the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. Referring to FIG. 12, the device electrical contacts of the device body 100 include a device electrical connector 132. The device electrical connector 132 includes a power contact and a data contact. The power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 are configured to supply power from the device body 100 to the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. As shown, the power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 include a first pair of power contacts and a second pair of power contacts (which are positioned closer to the front cover 104 than the rear cover 108). The first pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent the first upstream projection 128a) may be a single unitary structure distinct from the second pair of power contacts, which when assembled includes two projections that extend into the through hole 150. Similarly, the second pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent the second upstream projection 128b) may be a single unitary structure distinct from the first pair of power contacts, which when assembled includes two protrusions that extend into the through hole 150. The first and second pair of power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may be conveniently mounted and biased to protrude into the through hole 150 by default and retract (e.g., independently) from the through hole 150 upon receiving a force that overcomes the bias.

[0089] The data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 are configured to transmit data between the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device body 100. As shown, the data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 include a row of five protrusions (located closer to the rear cover 108 than to the front cover 104). The data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may be separate structures that extend into the through-holes 150 when assembled. The data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may also be conveniently mounted and biased to extend into the through-holes 150 as a default and retract (e.g., independently) from the through-holes 150 when subjected to a force that overcomes the bias. For example, when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the through-holes 150 of the device body 100, the pod electrical contacts of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 will be pressed against the corresponding device electrical contacts of the device body 100. As a result, the power and data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 retract (e.g., at least partially retract) into the device body 100, but due to their resilient arrangement continue to press against the corresponding pod electrical contacts, thereby helping to ensure a proper electrical connection between the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Moreover, such a connection may also be mechanically secure and have minimal contact resistance so as to reliably and accurately transfer and / or communicate power and / or signals between the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Although various aspects have been discussed in connection with the device electrical contacts of the device body 100, it should be understood that example embodiments are not limited thereto and other configurations may be utilized.

[0090] FIG. 13 is a partial exploded view including the mouthpiece in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 13, the mouthpiece 102 is configured to engage with the device housing via a retaining structure 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the retaining structure 140 is located such that it is primarily between the frame 106 and the bezel structure 112. As shown, the retaining structure 140 is disposed within the device housing such that the proximal end of the retaining structure 140 extends through the proximal end of the frame 106. The retaining structure 140 may extend slightly beyond the proximal end of the frame 106 or may be substantially even therewith. The proximal end of the retaining structure 140 is configured to receive the distal end of the mouthpiece 102. The proximal end of the retaining structure 140 may be a female end, while the distal end of the mouthpiece may be a male end.

[0091] For example, the mouthpiece 102 may be coupled (e.g., reversibly coupled) to the retaining structure 140 with a bayonet connection. In such an example, the female end of the retaining structure 140 may define a pair of opposing L-shaped slots, while the male end of the mouthpiece 102 may have opposing radial members 134 (e.g., radial pins) configured to engage with the L-shaped slots of the retaining structure 140. Each of the L-shaped slots of the retaining structure 140 has a longitudinal portion and a circumferential portion. Optionally, the ends of the circumferential portions may have serif portions that help reduce or prevent the possibility of the radial members 134 of the mouthpiece 102 being inadvertently disengaged. In a non-limiting embodiment, the longitudinal portions of the L-shaped slots extend parallel along the longitudinal axis of the device body 100, and the circumferential portions of the L-shaped slots extend around the longitudinal axis (e.g., the central axis) of the device body 100. As a result, to couple the mouthpiece 102 to the device housing, the mouthpiece 102 shown in FIG. 13 is first rotated 90 degrees to align the radial member 134 with the entrance of the longitudinal portion of the L-shaped slot of the retaining structure 140. The mouthpiece 102 is then pressed into the retaining structure 140 such that the radial member 134 slides along the longitudinal portion of the L-shaped slot until it reaches its junction with each of the circumferential portions. At this point, the mouthpiece 102 is then rotated such that the radial member 134 moves across the circumferential portions until it reaches its respective terminal end. If serif portions are present at each terminal end, tactile and / or auditory feedback (e.g., an audible click) may be generated to inform the adult vaper that the mouthpiece 102 has been properly coupled to the device housing.

[0092] The mouthpiece 102 defines a vapor passageway 136 through which the non-nicotine vapor flows during vaping. The vapor passageway 136 is in fluid communication with the through-hole 150 (where the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 seats within the device body 100). The proximal end of the vapor passageway 136 may include a flared portion. Additionally, the mouthpiece 102 may include an end cover 138. The end cover 138 may taper from its distal end to its proximal end. The outlet face of the end cover 138 defines a plurality of vapor outlets. Although four vapor outlets are shown on the end cover 138, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment is not so limited.

[0093] FIG. 14 is a partially exploded perspective view including the bezel structure of FIG. 9. FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the mouthpiece, spring, retaining structure, and bezel structure of FIG. 14. Referring to FIGS. 14-15, the bezel structure 112 includes an upstream wall and a downstream wall. The upstream wall of the bezel structure 112 defines a connector opening 146. The connector opening 146 is configured to expose or receive the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100. The downstream wall of the bezel structure 112 defines a first downstream opening 148a, a second downstream opening 148b, and a third downstream opening 148c. The first downstream opening 148a and the second downstream opening 148b of the bezel structure 112 are configured to receive the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the retaining structure 140, respectively. The third downstream opening 148c of the bezel structure 112 is configured to receive the distal end of the mouthpiece 102.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 14, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are on a concave side of the retention structure 140. As shown in Fig. 15, the first post 142a and the second post 142b are on opposite convex sides of the retention structure 140. The first post 142a and the second post 142b have a first spring 144a and a second spring 144b disposed thereon, respectively. The first spring 144a and the second spring 144b are configured to bias the retention structure 140 against the bezel structure 112.

[0095] When assembled, the bezel structure 112 may be secured to the frame 106 via a pair of tabs adjacent the connector opening 146. Additionally, the retention structure 140 will bias the bezel structure 112 such that the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b extend through the first downstream opening 148a and the second downstream opening 148b, respectively. The mouthpiece 102 will be coupled to the retention structure 140 such that a distal end of the mouthpiece 102 extends through the retention structure 140 and through the third downstream opening 148c of the bezel structure 112. The first spring 144a and the second spring 144b will be between the frame 106 and the retention structure 140.

[0096] When the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the through hole 150 of the device body 100, the downstream end of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is pressed against the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the retaining structure 140. As a result, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the retaining structure 140 elastically yield and retract from the through hole 150 of the device body 100 (due to the compression of the first spring 144a and the second spring 144b), thereby allowing the insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 to proceed. In an exemplary embodiment, when the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are fully retracted from the through hole 150 of the device body 100, the displacement of the retaining structure 140 may cause the ends of the first post 142a and the second post 142b to abut against the inner end surface of the frame 106. Furthermore, because mouthpiece 102 is coupled to retention structure 140, the distal end of mouthpiece 102 will retract from through-hole 150, and therefore the proximal end of mouthpiece 102 (e.g., the visible portion including end cover 138) will also move a corresponding distance away from the device housing.

[0097] When the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted sufficiently to reach a position where the first and second downstream recesses of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 can engage with the first and second downstream protrusions 130a and 130b, respectively, the stored energy from the compression of the first and second springs 144a and 144b will cause the first and second downstream protrusions 130a and 130b to resiliently expand and engage with the first and second downstream recesses of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, respectively. Furthermore, the engagement can generate tactile and / or auditory feedback (e.g., an audible click) to inform the adult vaper that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly seated within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0098] FIG. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view including the front cover, frame, and rear cover of FIG. 14. Referring to FIG. 16, various mechanical elements, electronic elements, and / or circuits associated with the operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may be secured to the frame 106. The front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via a snap-fit ​​arrangement. In an exemplary embodiment, the front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 include clips configured to interlock with corresponding mating members of the frame 106. The clips may be in the form of tabs having orifices configured to receive corresponding mating members of the frame 106 (e.g., protrusions having chamfered edges). In FIG. 16, the front cover 104 has two rows with four clips each (for a total of eight clips for the front cover 104). Similarly, the rear cover 108 has two rows with four clips each (for a total of eight clips for the rear cover 108). The corresponding mating members of the frame 106 may be on the inner sidewall of the frame 106. As a result, the engaged clips and interlocking members may not be visible when the front cover 104 and rear cover 108 are snapped together. Alternatively, the front cover 104 and / or rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via an interference fit. However, it should be understood that the front cover 104, frame 106, and rear cover 108 may be coupled using other suitable arrangements and techniques.

[0099] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a non-nicotine pod assembly of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of FIG. 6. FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 18. Referring to FIGS. 17-19, a non-nicotine pod assembly 300 for a non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 includes a pod body configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The pod body has an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end of the pod body defines a cavity 310 (FIG. 20). The downstream end of the pod body defines a pod outlet 304 in fluid communication with the cavity 310 at the upstream end. A connector module 320 is configured to seat within the cavity 310 of the pod body. The connector module 320 includes an exterior surface and a side surface. The exterior surface of the connector module 320 forms an exterior of the pod body.

[0100] The exterior surface of the connector module 320 defines a pod inlet 322. The pod inlet 322 (where air enters during vaping) is in fluid communication with the pod outlet 304 (where non-nicotine vapor exits during vaping). The pod inlet 322 is shown in FIG. 19 as being in the form of a slot. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment is not so limited and other forms are possible. When the connector module 320 is seated within the pod body cavity 310, the exterior surface of the connector module 320 remains visible, but the sides of the connector module 320 are mostly hidden such that they are only partially visible through the pod inlet 322 based on a predetermined angle.

[0101] The outer surface of the connector module 320 includes at least one electrical contact. The at least one electrical contact may include a plurality of power contacts. For example, the plurality of power contacts may include a first power contact 324a and a second power contact 324b. The first power contact 324a of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is configured to electrically connect with a first pair of power contacts (e.g., a pair adjacent to the first upstream protrusion 128a in FIG. 12) of the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100. Similarly, the second power contact 324b of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is configured to electrically connect with a second pair of power contacts (e.g., a pair adjacent to the second upstream protrusion 128b in FIG. 12) of the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100. Furthermore, the at least one electrical contact of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 includes a plurality of data contacts 326. The plurality of data contacts 326 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 are configured to electrically connect with the data contacts (e.g., the row of five prongs in FIG. 12 ) of the device electrical connector 132. Although two power contacts and five data contacts are shown in connection with the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, it should be understood that other variations are possible depending on the design of the device body 100.

[0102] In an exemplary embodiment, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 includes a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a first side surface between the front surface and the rear surface, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, an upstream end surface, and a downstream end surface opposite the upstream end surface. The corners of the side surfaces and end surfaces (e.g., the corners of the first side surface and the upstream end surface, the corners of the upstream end surface and the second side surface, the corners of the second side surface and the downstream end surface, and the corners of the downstream end surface and the first side surface) may be rounded. However, in some cases, the corners may be angular. Furthermore, the periphery of the front surface may be in the form of a ledge. The outer surface of the connector module 320 may be considered to be a part of the upstream end surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The front surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be wider and longer than the rear surface. In such an example, the surface of the first side surface and the surface of the second side surface may be angled inwardly relative to each other. The upstream end surface and the downstream end surface may also be angled inwardly relative to each other. The angled surface ensures that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted in one direction (e.g., from the front side of the device body 100 (the side associated with the front cover 104)). As a result, the possibility of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 being improperly inserted into the device body 100 can be reduced or prevented.

[0103] As shown, the pod body of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 includes a first housing portion 302 and a second housing portion 308. The first housing portion 302 has a downstream end that defines a pod outlet 304. The edge of the pod outlet 304 may optionally be a recessed or concave region. In such an example, the region may resemble an inlet, and the side of the rim adjacent the rear face of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be open, and the side of the rim adjacent the front face may be surrounded by a raised portion of the downstream end of the first housing portion 302. The raised portion may act as a stop for the distal end of the mouthpiece 102. As a result, this configuration for the pod outlet 304 may facilitate receipt and alignment of the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 (e.g., FIG. 11 ) through the open side of the rim and then seated against the raised portion of the downstream end of the first housing portion 302. In a non-limiting embodiment, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 may also include (or be formed from) a resilient material to assist in creating a seal around the pod outlet 304 when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly inserted into the through hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0104] The downstream end of the first housing section 302 further defines at least one downstream recess. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one downstream recess is in the form of a first downstream recess 306a and a second downstream recess 306b. The pod outlet 304 may be between the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b are configured to engage the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100, respectively. As shown in FIG. 11, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 may be disposed at adjacent corners of the downstream wall of the through hole 150. Also, each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may be in the form of a V-shaped notch. In such an example, each of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a wedge-shaped structure configured to engage with the corresponding V-shaped notches of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a may be in contact with the downstream end face and the corners of the first side face, and the second downstream recess 306b may be in contact with the downstream end face and the corners of the second side face. As a result, the ends of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b adjacent to the first side face and the second side face, respectively, may be open. In such an example, as shown in FIG. 18, each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may be a three-sided recess.

[0105] The second housing portion 308 has an upstream end that defines a cavity 310 (FIG. 20). The cavity 310 is configured to receive a connector module 320 (FIG. 21). Additionally, the upstream end of the second housing portion 308 defines at least one upstream recess. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one upstream recess is in the form of a first upstream recess 312a and a second upstream recess 312b. The pod inlet 322 may be between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b are configured to engage the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100, respectively. As shown in FIG. 12, the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100 may be disposed at adjacent corners of the upstream sidewall of the through-hole 150. The depth of each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may be greater than the depth of each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. Also, the end of each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may be more rounded than the end of each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. For example, each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may be in the form of a U-shaped recess. In such an example, each of the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a round knob configured to engage with the corresponding U-shaped recess of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a may be substantially aligned with the upstream end face and the corner of the first side face, and the second upstream recess 312b may be substantially aligned with the upstream end face and the corner of the second side face. As a result, the ends of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b adjacent to the first side face and the second side face, respectively, may be open.

[0106] The first housing portion 302 may define a non-nicotine reservoir therein configured to hold the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The non-nicotine reservoir may be configured to seal the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation until the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated to release the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the non-nicotine reservoir. As a result of the sealing, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be isolated from the environment as well as from internal elements of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 that may potentially react with the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, thereby reducing or preventing potential adverse effects on the shelf life and / or sensory characteristics (e.g., flavor) of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The second housing portion 308 may include structure configured to activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and receive and heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the non-nicotine reservoir following activation.

[0107] The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be manually activated by an adult vaper prior to insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body 100. Alternatively, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be activated as part of the insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the second housing portion 308 of the pod body includes a perforator configured to release the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the non-nicotine reservoir during activation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The perforator may be in the form of a first activation pin 314a and a second activation pin 314b, which will be discussed in more detail herein.

[0108] To manually activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, an adult vaper may press the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b inward (e.g., simultaneously or sequentially) before inserting the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. For example, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b may be manually pressed until their ends are substantially flush with the upstream end surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the inward movement of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b pierces or otherwise penetrates the seal of the non-nicotine reservoir to release the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation therefrom.

[0109] Alternatively, to activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 as part of the insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body 100, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is initially positioned such that the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b are engaged (e.g., upstream engaged) with the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b, respectively. Each of the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a round knob configured to engage with the corresponding U-shaped recess of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, so that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 can then be relatively easily rotated about the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0110] With respect to the pivoting of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the axis of rotation can be considered to extend through the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b and to be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100. During the initial positioning and subsequent pivoting of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b contact the upstream sidewall of the through-hole 150, and as the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 advances into the through-hole 150, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are pressed (e.g., simultaneously) into the second housing portion 308, transitioning from the extended state to the retracted state. When the downstream end of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 reaches near the downstream wall of the through hole 150 and contacts the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b retract and elastically extend (e.g., spring back), and due to the positioning of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 engage with the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, respectively (e.g., downstream engagement).

[0111] As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece 102 is secured to the retaining structure 140 (of which the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are a part). In such an example, retraction of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b from the through-hole 150 will cause simultaneous movement of the mouthpiece 102 a corresponding distance in the same direction (e.g., downstream). Conversely, when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is fully inserted to facilitate downstream engagement, the mouthpiece 102 will spring back simultaneously with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b. In addition to the resilient engagement by the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 is also configured to bias against the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 (and align with the pod outlet 304 to form a relatively vapor-tight seal) when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly seated within the through hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0112] Additionally, the downstream engagement may generate an audible click and / or tactile feedback to indicate that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly seated within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. When properly seated, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 will be mechanically, electrically, and fluidically connected to the device body 100. Although in the non-limiting embodiments herein, the upstream engagement of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is described as occurring before the downstream engagement, it should be understood that the appropriate mating, activation, and / or electrical arrangement may be reversed such that the downstream engagement occurs before the upstream engagement.

[0113] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 19 without the connector module. Referring to FIG. 20, the upstream end of the second housing portion 308 defines a cavity 310. As described above, the cavity 310 is configured to receive the connector module 320 (e.g., via an interference fit). In an exemplary embodiment, the cavity 310 is located between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, and between the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b. In the absence of the connector module 320, the insert 342 (FIG. 24) and the absorbent material 346 (FIG. 25) are visible through the recess opening of the cavity 310. The insert 342 is configured to hold the absorbent material 346. The absorbent material 346 is configured to absorb and retain an amount of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the non-nicotine reservoir upon actuation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The insert 342 and the absorbent material 346 are discussed in more detail herein.

[0114] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 19. FIG. 22 is another perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 21. Referring to FIGS. 21-22, the general framework of the connector module 320 includes a module housing 354 and a faceplate 366. Additionally, the connector module 320 has a number of faces, including an exterior face and a side face, the exterior face being adjacent to the side face. In an exemplary embodiment, the exterior face of the connector module 320 is comprised of the faceplate 366, the first power contacts 324a, the second power contacts 324b, and the upstream faces of the data contacts 326. The side face of the connector module 320 is part of the module housing 354. The side face of the connector module 320 defines a first module inlet 330 and a second module inlet 332. Additionally, two side surfaces adjacent the side (also part of the module housing 354) may include rib structures (e.g., crush ribs) configured to facilitate an interference fit when the connector module 320 is seated within the pod body cavity 310. For example, each of the two side surfaces may include a pair of rib structures tapering away from the faceplate 366. As a result, the module housing 354 will encounter increasing resistance as the connector module 320 is pressed into the pod body cavity 310 through friction of the rib structures against the sidewalls of the cavity 310. When the connector module 320 is seated within the cavity 310, the faceplate 366 may be substantially flush with the upstream end of the second housing portion 308. Additionally, the sides of the connector module 320 (defining the first module inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332) will face the sidewalls of the cavity 310.

[0115] The faceplate 366 of the connector module 320 may have a grooved edge 328 that, in combination with a corresponding side of the cavity 310, defines the pod inlet 322. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment is not so limited. For example, the faceplate 366 of the connector module 320 may alternatively be configured to completely define the pod inlet 322. The sides of the connector module 320 (defining the first and second module inlets 330 and 332) and the sides of the cavity 310 (facing the side) define an intermediate space therebetween. The intermediate space is downstream from the pod inlet 322 and upstream from the first and second module inlets 330 and 332. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the pod inlet 322 is in fluid communication with both the first and second module inlets 330 and 332 via the intermediate space. The first module inlet 330 may be larger than the second module inlet 332. In such an example, when incoming air is received by the pod inlet 322 during vaping, the first module inlet 330 may receive a primary flow of the incoming air (e.g., a larger flow), while the second module inlet 332 may receive a secondary flow of the incoming air (e.g., a smaller flow).

[0116] As shown in FIG. 22, the connector module 320 includes a wick 338 configured to transfer the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to a heater 336. The heater 336 is configured to heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to generate vapor during vaping. The heater 336 may be mounted to the connector module 320 via a contact core 334. The heater 336 is electrically connected to at least one electrical contact of the connector module 320. For example, one end (e.g., a first end) of the heater 336 may be connected to the first power contact 324a, and the other end (e.g., a second end) of the heater 336 may be connected to the second power contact 324b. In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 includes a folded heating element. In such an example, the wick 338 may have a planar form configured to be held by the folded heating element. When the connector module 320 is seated within the cavity 310 of the pod body, the wick 338 is configured to be in fluid communication with the absorbent material 346 such that any non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation that may be within the absorbent material 346 (when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated) migrates to the wick 338 via capillary action.

[0117] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view including the wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact core of FIG. 22. Referring to FIG. 23, the wick 338 may be a fibrous pad or other structure with holes / gaps designed for capillary action. Additionally, the wick 338 may have an irregular hexagonal shape, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The wick 338 may be manufactured in a hexagonal shape or cut to this shape from a larger sheet of material. The lower portion of the wick 338 tapers toward the windings of the heater 336, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation being in a portion of the wick 338 that will not continue to vaporize (due to its distance from the heater 336).

[0118] In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 is configured to undergo Joule heating (also known as Ohmic / resistive heating) when a current is applied thereto. More specifically, the heater 336 may be formed of one or more conductors and is configured to generate heat when a current is passed therethrough. The current may be provided from a power source (e.g., a battery) within the device body 100 and transferred to the heater 336 via the first power contact 324a and the first electrical lead 340a (or via the second power contact 324b and the second electrical lead 340b).

[0119] Suitable conductors for the heater 336 include iron-based alloys (e.g., stainless steel) and / or nickel-based alloys (e.g., nichrome). The heater 336 may be fabricated from a conductive sheet (e.g., metal, alloy) that is stamped to cut a winding pattern therefrom. The winding pattern may have curved segments alternating with horizontal segments such that the horizontal segments zigzag back and forth while running parallel. Additionally, the width of each of the horizontal segments of the winding pattern may be substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent horizontal segments of the winding pattern, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. To obtain the configuration of the heater 336 shown in the drawings, the winding pattern may be folded to grip the wick 338.

[0120] The heater 336 may be secured to the contact core 334 with a first electrical lead 340a and a second electrical lead 340b. The contact core 334 is formed of an insulating material and configured to electrically isolate the first electrical lead 340a from the second electrical lead 340b. In an exemplary embodiment, the first electrical lead 340a and the second electrical lead 340b each define a female opening configured to engage with a corresponding male member of the contact core 334. Once engaged, the first end and the second end of the heater 336 may be secured (e.g., welded, soldered, brazed) to the first electrical lead 340a and the second electrical lead 340b, respectively. The contact core 334 may then be mounted (e.g., via an interference fit) into a corresponding socket of the module housing 354. Upon completion of assembly of the connector module 320, the first electrical lead 340a electrically connects a first end of the heater 336 with the first power contact 324a, while the second electrical lead 340b electrically connects a second end of the heater 336 with the second power contact 324b. The heater and associated structure are described in more detail in U.S. Application No. 15 / 729,909, entitled "Folded Heater For Electronic Vaping Device," filed on October 11, 2017 (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000-000371-US), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0121] FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view including a first housing part of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17. Referring to FIG. 24, the first housing part 302 includes a vapor channel 316. The vapor channel 316 is configured to receive non-nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 and is in fluid communication with the pod outlet 304. In an exemplary embodiment, the vapor channel 316 may gradually increase in size (e.g., diameter) as it extends toward the pod outlet 304. Furthermore, the vapor channel 316 may be integrally formed with the first housing part 302. A wrap 318, an insert 342, and a seal 344 are disposed at an upstream end of the first housing part 302 to define a non-nicotine reservoir of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. For example, the wrap 318 may be disposed on a rim of the first housing part 302. The insert 342 may be seated within the first housing portion 302 to engage an inner surface of the first housing portion 302 along a rim (e.g., via an interference fit) such that the interface between a periphery of the insert 342 and the inner surface of the first housing portion 302 is fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight). Additionally, a seal 344 is attached upstream of the insert 342 to close an outlet of the non-nicotine reservoir within the insert 342 to provide fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight) containment of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the non-nicotine reservoir.

[0122] In an exemplary embodiment, the insert 342 includes a holder portion protruding from the upstream side (as shown in FIG. 24 ) and a connector portion protruding from the downstream side (as not visible in FIG. 24 ). The holder portion of the insert 342 is configured to hold an absorbent material 346, and the connector portion of the insert 342 is configured to engage with the vapor channel 316 of the first housing portion 302. The connector portion of the insert 342 may be configured to seat within the vapor channel 316 and thus engage with an interior of the vapor channel 316. Alternatively, the connector portion of the insert 342 may be configured to receive the vapor channel 316 and thus engage with an exterior of the vapor channel 316. The insert 342 also defines a non-nicotine reservoir outlet through which the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows when the seal 344 is punctured (as shown in FIG. 24 ) during actuation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The holder portion and connector portion of the insert 342 may be between the non-nicotine reservoir outlets (e.g., the first and second non-nicotine reservoir outlets), although an exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. Additionally, the insert 342 defines a vapor conduit extending through the holder portion and the connector portion. As a result, when the insert 342 is seated within the first housing portion 302, the vapor conduit of the insert 342 aligns with and is in fluid communication with the vapor channel 316 to form a continuous pathway through the non-nicotine reservoir to the pod outlet 304 for non-nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 during vaping.

[0123] The seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 so as to cover the non-nicotine reservoir outlet in the insert 342. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal 344 defines an opening (e.g., a central opening) configured to provide suitable clearance to accommodate the holder portion (protruding from the upstream side of the insert 342) when the seal 344 is attached to the insert 342. It should be understood that in FIG. 24, the seal 344 is shown in a punctured state. In particular, when punctured by the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the two puncture portions of the seal 344 are pressed into the non-nicotine reservoir as flaps (as shown in FIG. 24), thus forming two puncture openings (e.g., one on each side of the central opening) in the seal 344. The size and shape of the punctured openings in the seal 344 may correspond to the size and shape of the outlet of the non-nicotine reservoir in the insert 342. In contrast, when unpierced, the seal 344 will have a planar configuration and only one opening (e.g., a central opening). The seal 344 is designed to be strong enough to remain intact during normal movement and / or handling of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 so as to avoid premature / inadvertent rupture. For example, the seal 344 may be a coated foil (e.g., aluminum-backed Tritan).

[0124] 25 is a partially exploded perspective view including a second housing portion of the non-nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17. Referring to FIG. 25, the second housing portion 308 is structured to include various elements configured to release, receive, and heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. For example, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are configured to puncture a non-nicotine reservoir in the first housing portion 302 to release the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. Each of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b has a distal end that extends through a corresponding opening in the second housing portion 308. In the exemplary embodiment, the distal ends of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are visible after assembly (e.g., FIG. 17), while the remaining portions of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are hidden from view within the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Additionally, each of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b has a proximal end positioned adjacent to and upstream of the seal 344 prior to activation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. When the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are pressed into the second housing portion 308 to activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the proximal end of each of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b will travel through the insert 342, thereby piercing the seal 344 and releasing the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the non-nicotine reservoir. The movement of the first activation pin 314a may be independent of the movement of the second activation pin 314b (or vice versa). The first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are described in more detail herein.

[0125] The absorbent material 346 is configured to engage with the holder portion of the insert 342 (protruding from the upstream side of the insert 342 as shown in FIG. 24). The absorbent material 346 may have an annular configuration, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. As depicted in FIG. 25, the absorbent material 346 may resemble a hollow cylinder. In such an example, the outer diameter of the absorbent material 346 may be substantially equal to (or slightly greater than) the length of the wick 338. The inner diameter of the absorbent material 346 may be smaller than the average outer diameter of the holder portion of the insert 342 to provide an interference fit. To facilitate engagement with the absorbent material 346, the tip of the holder portion of the insert 342 may be tapered. Additionally, although not visible in FIG. 25, the downstream side of the second housing portion 308 may define a recess configured to receive and support the absorbent material 346. An example of such a recess may be a circular chamber in fluid communication with and downstream of the cavity 310. The absorbent material 346 is configured to receive and retain an amount of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the non-nicotine reservoir when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated.

[0126] The wick 338 is disposed within the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 in fluid communication with the absorbent material 346 such that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be drawn from the absorbent material 346 to the heater 336 by capillary action. The wick 338 may be in physical contact with the upstream side of the absorbent material 346 (e.g., the bottom of the absorbent material 346 based on the diagram shown in FIG. 25). Additionally, the wick 338 may be aligned with the diameter of the absorbent material 346, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 25 (as in previous FIG. 23), the heater 336 may have a folded configuration to grip opposing surfaces of the wick 338 to establish thermal contact. The heater 336 is configured to heat the wick 338 during vaping to generate vapor. To facilitate such heating, a first end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the first power contact 324a via a first electrical lead 340a, while a second end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the second power contact 324b via a second electrical lead 340b. As a result, current may be provided from a power source (e.g., a battery) within the device body 100 and transferred to the heater 336 via the first power contact 324a and the first electrical lead 340a (or via the second power contact 324b and the second electrical lead 340b). It should be noted that the first electrical lead 340a and the second electrical lead 340b (shown separately in FIG. 23) may be engaged with the contact core 334 (as shown in FIG. 25). Relevant details of other aspects of the connector module 320 configured to seat within the cavity 310 of the second housing portion 308 have been described above (e.g., in connection with FIGS. 21-22) and will not be repeated in this section in the interest of brevity. During vaping, non-nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 is drawn through the vapor conduit of the insert 342, through the vapor channel 316 of the first housing portion 302, out the pod outlet 304 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, and through the vapor passage 136 of the mouthpiece 102 to the vapor outlet(s).

[0128] FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the activation pin of FIG. 25. Referring to FIG. 26, the activation pin may be in the form of a first activation pin 314a and a second activation pin 314b. Although two activation pins are shown and discussed in connection with the non-limiting embodiments herein, it should be understood that alternatively, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may include only one activation pin. In FIG. 26, the first activation pin 314a may include a first blade 348a, a first actuator 350a, and a first O-ring 352a. Similarly, the second activation pin 314b may include a second blade 348b, a second actuator 350b, and a second O-ring 352b.

[0129] In an exemplary embodiment, the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b are configured to be attached or mounted to the top portion (e.g., proximal portion) of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b, respectively. The attachment or mounting may be achieved via a snap-fit ​​connection, an interference fit (e.g., friction fit) connection, adhesive, or other suitable bonding technique. The top of each of the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b may have one or more curved or concave edges that taper upward to a pointed tip. For example, each of the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b may have two pointed tips with a concave edge therebetween and a curved edge adjacent each pointed tip. The concave edges and the curved edges may have the same radius of curvature, but their arc lengths may be different. The first and second blades 348a, 348b may be formed from sheet metal (e.g., stainless steel) that is cut or otherwise shaped to have a desired profile and bent into its final form. In another embodiment, the first and second blades 348a, 348b may be formed from plastic.

[0130] Based on a plan view, the size and shape of the first blade 348a, the second blade 348b, and the portions of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b to which they are attached may correspond to the size and shape of the non-nicotine reservoir outlet in the insert 342. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 26, the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b may include protruding edges (e.g., curved inner lips facing each other) configured to push the two piercing portions of the seal 344 into the non-nicotine reservoir as the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b advance into the non-nicotine reservoir. In a non-limiting embodiment, when the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are fully inserted into the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the two flaps (from the two punctured portions of the seal 344, as shown in FIG. 24) may be present between the curved sidewall of the outlet of the non-nicotine reservoir of the insert 342 and the corresponding curvature of the protruding edge of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b. As a result, the possibility that the two punctured openings of the seal 344 are blocked (by the two flaps from the two punctured portions) may be reduced or prevented. Furthermore, the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b may be configured to guide the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the non-nicotine reservoir toward the absorbent material 346.

[0131] The lower portion (e.g., distal portion) of each of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b is configured to extend through the bottom (e.g., upstream end) of the second housing portion 308. The rod-like portion of each of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b may be referred to as a shaft. The first O-ring 352a and the second O-ring 352b may be seated in annular grooves provided in the shafts of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b, respectively. The first O-ring 352a and the second O-ring 352b are configured to engage the shafts of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b and the inner surface of the corresponding openings in the second housing portion 308 to provide a fluid-tight seal. As a result, when the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are pressed inward to activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the first O-ring 352a and the second O-ring 352b may move with the respective shafts of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b within the corresponding openings of the second housing portion 308 while maintaining their respective seals, thereby helping to reduce or prevent leakage of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation through the openings in the second housing portion 308 by the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b. The first O-ring 352a and the second O-ring 352b may be formed of silicone.

[0132] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 22 excluding the wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact cores. FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 27. With reference to FIGS. 27-28, a module housing 354 and a faceplate 366 generally form the exterior framework of the connector module 320. The module housing 354 defines a first module inlet 330 and a grooved edge 356. The grooved edge 356 of the module housing 354 exposes a second module inlet 332 (which is defined by a bypass structure 358). However, it should be understood that the grooved edge 356 can also be considered to define a module inlet (e.g., in combination with the faceplate 366). The faceplate 366 has a grooved edge 328 that, together with a corresponding side of the cavity 310 of the second housing portion 308, defines the pod inlet 322. Additionally, the faceplate 366 defines a first contact opening, a second contact opening, and a third contact opening, where the first contact opening and the second contact opening may be square shaped and configured to expose the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b, respectively, and the third contact opening is rectangular shaped and configured to expose the plurality of data contacts 326, although example embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0133] The first power contacts 324a, the second power contacts 324b, a printed circuit board (PCB) 362, and the bypass structure 358 are disposed within an outer frame formed by a module housing 354 and a faceplate 366. The printed circuit board (PCB) 362 includes a plurality of data contacts 326 on its upstream side (hidden in FIG. 28 ) and a sensor 364 on its downstream side. The bypass structure 358 defines a second module inlet 332 and a bypass outlet 360.

[0134] During assembly, the first and second power contacts 324a and 324b are positioned to be visible through the first and second contact openings of the faceplate 366, respectively. Additionally, the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 is positioned to have the upstream plurality of data contacts 326 visible through the third contact opening of the faceplate 366. The printed circuit board (PCB) 362 may overlap the rear side of the first and second power contacts 324a and 324b. The bypass structure 358 is disposed on the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 such that the sensor 364 is within the air flow path defined by the second module inlet 332 and the bypass outlet 360. When assembled, the bypass structure 358 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 may be considered to be surrounded on at least four sides by the serpentine structure of the first and second power contacts 324a and 324b. In the exemplary embodiment, the bifurcated ends of the first and second power contacts 324a, 324b are configured to electrically connect to the first and second electrical leads 340a, 340b.

[0135] When incoming air is received by the pod inlet 322 during vaping, the first module inlet 330 may receive a primary flow (e.g., a larger flow) of incoming air, while the second module inlet 332 may receive a secondary flow (e.g., a smaller flow) of incoming air. The secondary flow of incoming air may improve the sensitivity of the sensor 364. After exiting the bypass structure 358 through the bypass outlet 360, the secondary flow recombines with the primary flow to form a combined flow drawn into and through the contact core 334 to encounter the heater 336 and the wick 338. In a non-limiting embodiment, the primary flow may be 60-95% (e.g., 80-90%) of the incoming air, while the secondary flow may be 5-40% (e.g., 10-20%) of the incoming air.

[0136] The first module inlet 330 may be a resistance-to-draw (RTD) port, and the second module inlet 332 may be a bypass port. In such a configuration, the draw resistance of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may be adjusted by changing the size of the first module inlet 330 (rather than changing the size of the pod inlet 322). In an exemplary embodiment, the size of the first module inlet 330 may be selected such that the draw resistance is between 25-100 mmH2O (e.g., between 30-50 mmH2O). For example, a 1.0 mm diameter for the first module inlet 330 may result in a draw resistance of 88.3 mmH2O. In another example, a 1.1 mm diameter for the first module inlet 330 may result in a draw resistance of 73.6 mmH2O. In another example, a 1.2 mm diameter for the first module inlet 330 may result in a draw resistance of 58.7 mmH2O. In yet another example, a diameter of 1.3 mm for the first modular inlet 330 may result in a draw resistance of 43.8 mm H2O. Of note, the size of the first modular inlet 330, due to its internal placement, may be adjusted without affecting the external aesthetics of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, thereby allowing for a more standard product design for pod assemblies having a variety of resistance-to-draw (RTD), while reducing the possibility of inadvertent blockage of the incoming air.

[0137] FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the electrical system of the device body and non-nicotine pod assembly of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0138] 29, the electrical system includes a device body electrical system 2100 and a non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200. The device body electrical system 2100 may be included in the device body 100, and the non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 may be included in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 described above with respect to FIGS.

[0139] 29, the non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 includes a heater 336, and a non-volatile memory (NVM) 2205. The NVM 2205 may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) integrated circuit (IC).

[0140] The non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 may further include a body electrical / data interface (not shown) for transferring power and / or data between the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the power contacts 324a, 324b, and 326 shown in FIG. 17, for example, may function as the body electrical / data interface.

[0141] The device body electrical system 2100 includes a controller 2105, a power source 2110, a device sensor 2125, a heating engine control circuit (also referred to as a heating engine shutoff circuit) 2127, a vapor indicator 2135, an on-product control 2150 (e.g., buttons 118 and 120 shown in FIG. 1), a memory 2130, and a clock circuit 2128. The device body electrical system 2100 may further include a pod electrical / data interface (not shown) for transferring power and / or data between the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the device electrical connector 132 shown in FIG. 12, for example, may function as the pod electrical / data interface.

[0142] The power source 2110 may be an internal power source for providing power to the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. The supply of power from the power source 2110 may be controlled by the controller 2105 via a power control circuit (not shown). The power control circuit may include one or more switches or transistors for regulating the power output from the power source 2110. The power source 2110 may be a lithium ion battery or a variant thereof (e.g., a lithium ion polymer battery).

[0143] The controller 2105 may be configured to control the overall operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105 may be implemented using hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or a storage medium storing software. As mentioned above, the hardware may be implemented using processing or control circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more systems on a chip (SoCs), one or more programmable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other device or devices capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.

[0144] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 29, the controller 2105 is illustrated as a microcontroller that includes an input / output (I / O) interface, such as a general purpose input / output (GPIO), an integrated circuit (I2C) interface, a serial peripheral interface bus (SPI) interface, a multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a clock input terminal. However, the exemplary embodiment should not be limited to this example. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may be a microprocessor.

[0145] The controller 2105 is communicatively coupled to the device sensor 2125 , the heating engine control circuitry 2127 , the vapor indicator 2135 , the memory 2130 , the on-product control 2150 , the clock circuitry 2128 and the power supply 2110 .

[0146] The heating engine control circuit 2127 is connected to the controller 2105 via a GPIO pin. The memory 2130 is connected to the controller 2105 via a SPI pin. The clock circuit 2128 is connected to the clock input terminal of the controller 2105. The vapor indicator 2135 is connected to the I 2 C interface pins and GPIO pins to the controller 2105. The device sensors 2125 are connected to the controller 2105 through respective pins of the multi-channel ADC.

[0147] The clock circuit 2128 may be a timing mechanism, such as an oscillator circuit, that allows the controller 2105 to track idle time, vape length, a combination of idle time and vape length, etc., of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. The clock circuit 2128 may also include a dedicated clock crystal configured to generate a system clock for the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0148] The memory 2130 may be a non-volatile memory configured to store one or more shutdown logs. In one example, the memory 2130 may store the one or more shutdown logs in one or more tables. The memory 2130 and the one or more shutdown logs stored therein are described in more detail below. In one example, the memory 2130 may be an EEPROM, such as a flash memory.

[0149] 29, the device sensor 2125 may include a number of sensors or measurement circuits configured to provide signals indicative of sensor or measurement information to the controller 2105. In the example shown in FIG. 29, the device sensor 2125 includes a heater current measurement circuit 21258 and a heater voltage measurement circuit 21252.

[0150] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 may be configured to output a (e.g., voltage) signal indicative of the current through the heater 336. An exemplary embodiment of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 is described in more detail below with respect to FIG.

[0151] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 may be configured to output a (e.g., voltage) signal indicative of the voltage across the heater 336. An exemplary embodiment of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 is described in more detail below with respect to FIG.

[0152] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 and the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 are connected to the controller 2105 via pins of the multi-channel ADC. To measure characteristics and / or parameters of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 (e.g., heater 336 voltage, current, resistance, temperature, etc.), the multi-channel ADC of the controller 2105 may sample output signals from the device sensors 2125 at a sampling rate appropriate for the given characteristic and / or parameter being measured by the respective device sensor.

[0153] Although not shown in Figure 29, device sensors 2125 may include sensors 364 shown in Figure 28. In at least one exemplary embodiment, sensors 364 may be microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) flow or pressure sensors, or another type of sensor configured to measure air flow (e.g., a hot wire anemometer).

[0154] As mentioned above, the heating engine control circuitry 2127 is connected to the controller 2105 via a GPIO pin. The heating engine control circuitry 2127 is configured to control (enable and / or disable) the heating engine of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 by controlling power to the heater 336. As described in more detail below, the heating engine control circuitry 2127 can disable the heating engine based on a control signal (sometimes referred to herein as a device power state signal) from the controller 2105.

[0155] When the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the device body 100, the controller 2105 also 2 The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be communicatively coupled to at least the NVM 2205 via a C interface. The NVM 2205 may store non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation parameter and variable values ​​for the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0156] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation parameter may be a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter (e.g., in microliters (μL)), a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation start level (e.g., in μL), a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold parameter (e.g., in μL), a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameter (e.g., vaporization rate), subcombinations thereof, combinations thereof, etc. The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation variable may include a total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation (e.g., in μL) and / or a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag.

[0157] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameters may be read-only values ​​that are not modified by the adult vaper, whereas the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation variables are read / write values ​​that are updated by the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 during operation.

[0158] The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation starting level indicates the initial level of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in a non-nicotine reservoir contained in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the device body 100. The initial level of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir may be determined at the time of filling or manufacturing the non-nicotine reservoir and / or the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 prior to insertion into the device body 100.

[0159] The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameter may, for example, be indicative of a vaporization rate of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, where the vaporization rate may, for example, be a vaporization rate conversion factor, such as picoliters (pL) per millijoules (mJ) of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0160] The non-nicotine prevapor formulation empty threshold parameter and the non-nicotine prevapor formulation low threshold parameter are thresholds that may be set empirically. Here, in this embodiment, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter is also referred to as a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold or empty threshold. Similarly, in this embodiment, the non-nicotine prevapor formulation low threshold parameter is also referred to as a non-nicotine prevapor formulation low threshold or low threshold.

[0161] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation onset level may be about 3500 μL, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold parameter may be about 3000 μL, and the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter may be about 3400 μL. The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter may be less than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation onset level to provide a margin to allow for measurement error in the energy used.

[0162] An exemplary vaporization rate for a non-nicotine prevapor formulation may be about 280 pL / mJ, although the vaporization rate may depend on the formulation.

[0163] These threshold parameters are explained in more detail below.

[0164] The total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation refers to the total (aggregate) amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation that is drawn from the non-nicotine reservoir and / or vaporized during a vape or during one or more puff events.

[0165] The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag may be a flag bit that is set when the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation reaches or exceeds (is equal to or greater than) a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter.

[0166] 29, the controller 2105 may control the vapor indicator 2135 to indicate to the adult vaper the status and / or operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. The vapor indicator 2135 may be implemented at least in part via a light guide (e.g., the light guide arrangement shown in FIG. 1) and may include a power indicator (e.g., an LED) that may be activated when the controller 2105 senses a button pressed by the adult vaper. The vapor indicator 2135 may also include a vibration mechanism, speaker, or other feedback mechanism and may indicate the current state of a vaping parameter controlled by the adult vaper (e.g., non-nicotine vapor volume).

[0167] 29, the controller 2105 may control power to the heater 336 to heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir according to a heating profile (e.g., volume, temperature, flavor). The heating profile may be determined based on empirical data and may be stored in the NVM 2205 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0168] 30 is a simple block diagram illustrating a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level detection and automatic shutdown control system 2300 according to an exemplary embodiment. For simplicity, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level detection and automatic shutdown control system 2300 may be referred to herein as the automatic shutdown control system 2300.

[0169] The auto-shutdown control system 2300 shown in Figure 30 may be implemented in the controller 2105. In one example, the auto-shutdown control system 2300 may be implemented as part of a device manager finite state machine (FSM) software implementation running on the controller 2105. In the example shown in Figure 30, the auto-shutdown control system 2300 includes a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level detection subsystem 2620. However, it should be understood that the auto-shutdown control system 2300 may include a variety of other subsystem modules.

[0170] 30, the automatic shutdown control system 2300, or more generally the controller 2105, may determine a total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The controller 2105 may also cause an indication of the level (e.g., low, empty, depleted) of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation remaining in a non-nicotine reservoir included in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 based on the determined total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0171] For example, the automatic shutdown control system 2300 may output an indication that the amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is relatively low (e.g., depleting) when the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation reaches or exceeds (i.e., is equal to or greater than) the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold but is less than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold. The automatic shutdown control system 2300 may output an indication that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted (e.g., empty) when the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation reaches (or exceeds) the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold. The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold may be greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold. The automatic shutdown control system 2300 may indicate the level of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation (e.g., low or depleted) via one or more vapor indicators 2135.

[0172] In response to the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation reaching the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold, the automatic shutdown control system 2300 may also cause the controller 2105 to control one or more subsystems of the non-nicotine e-vaporing device 500 to perform one or more resultant actions. According to one or more exemplary embodiments, in response to the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation reaching the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold, multiple resultant actions may be performed sequentially. In one example, the resultant actions may include: (i) an auto-off action in which the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 switches to a low power state (e.g., equivalent to turning off the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 using the power button); or (ii) a vape-off operation that disables the vape subsystem (e.g., by disabling all power to the heater 336), thereby preventing vaping until corrective action is taken (e.g., replacing the non-nicotine pod assembly).

[0173] Depletion of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is an example of a failure event (e.g., a hard pod failure event) in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500, which may require corrective action (e.g., replacement of the non-nicotine pod assembly) to re-enable a disabled function (e.g., a vape function) in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0174] The controller 2105 can control the subsystems of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 by outputting one or more control signals (or asserting or deasserting respective signals), as described in more detail below. In some cases, the control signals output from the controller 2105 may be referred to as device power state signals, device power state instructions, or device power control signals. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 can output one or more control signals to the heating engine control circuitry 2127 to shut down the vape function in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 in response to detecting depletion of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in a non-nicotine reservoir in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0175] 30, the automatic shutdown control system 2300, or more generally the controller 2105, estimates the amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during each puff event and aggregates the estimated amounts to determine a total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The automatic shutdown control system 2300 may estimate the amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during a puff event based on the amount of power applied to the heater 336 during the puff event (e.g., the aggregated amount) and non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameters of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 obtained from the NVM 2205.

[0176] FIG. 31 is a flow chart illustrating a method for detecting levels of a non-nicotine prevapor formulation according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0177] For illustrative purposes, the embodiment shown in FIG. 31 is described with respect to the electrical system shown in FIG. 29. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment should not be limited to this example. Rather, the exemplary embodiment is applicable to other non-nicotine e-vapor devices and their electrical systems. Additionally, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 32 is described with respect to operations performed by the controller 2105. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment may similarly be described with respect to the automatic shutdown control system 2300 and / or the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level detection subsystem 2620 performing one or more of the functions / operations shown in FIG. 31.

[0178] Referring to FIG. 31, when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted or engaged into the device body 100, the controller 2105 obtains non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation parameters and variables from the NVM 2205 in step S2802.

[0179] As discussed above, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation parameters may include a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter, a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation start level, a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold parameter, a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameter, subcombinations thereof, combinations thereof, or the like. Also, as discussed above, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation variables may include a total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation and / or a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag.

[0180] In step S2804, the controller 2105 determines whether a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag is set. The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag may be set or reset according to whether the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter obtained from the NVM 2205. The set non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag may have a first bit value (e.g., 1 or 0). Meanwhile, the reset non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag may have a second bit value (e.g., 1 or 0, whichever is different from the first bit value).

[0181] In this example, a set non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag indicates that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is depleted (i.e., the non-nicotine reservoir in the non-nicotine pod assembly is empty), whereas a reset non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag indicates that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is not depleted.

[0182] If the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag is set, in step S2826, the controller 2105 controls the vapor indicator 2135 to output an indication that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is depleted. More specifically, for example, the controller 2105 may control the vapor indicator 2135 to output an indication that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is depleted in the form of sound, visual indication, and / or haptic feedback. According to one or more exemplary embodiments, such an indication may be a flashing red LED, a software message that includes an error code and may trigger a notification of the app that is sent (e.g., via Bluetooth) to a connected "App" on the remote electronic device, a combination thereof, or the like.

[0183] Also in step S2826, the controller 2105 controls the heating engine control circuitry 2127 to perform a vape-off operation. As described above, the vape-off operation stops the vape function by disabling all energy to the heater 336, thereby preventing vaping until corrective action is taken (e.g., by the adult vaper). As described in more detail below, the controller 2105 may control the heating engine control circuitry 2127 to disable all energy to the heater 336 by outputting a vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN having a logic high level (FIG. 35) or by deasserting (or stopping outputting) the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM (FIG. 36). In at least one embodiment, the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM may be a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal. Exemplary corrective actions are also described in more detail below.

[0184] Returning to step S2804, if the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag has been reset (not set), in step S2806, the controller 2105 determines whether a vape condition exists in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. The controller 2105 may determine whether a vape condition exists in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 based on the output from the sensor 364. In one example, the controller 2105 may determine that a vape condition exists in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 if the output from the sensor 364 indicates application of a negative pressure at the mouthpiece 102 of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 that exceeds a threshold value.

[0185] If the controller 2105 detects a vape condition, then in step S2808, the controller 2105 controls the heating engine control circuit 2127 to apply power to the heater 336 to vaporize the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. An example of control of the heating engine control circuit 2127 to apply power to the heater 336 is described in more detail below with reference to Figures 35 and 36.

[0186] Also, in step S2808, the controller 2105 begins integrating the power applied to the heater 336 to calculate the total energy applied to the heater 336 during the puff event (while the vape condition exists).

[0187] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the power applied to the heater 336 may be dynamically adjusted during a puff event (intra-puff). Thus, the controller 2105 integrates or sums the power provided to the heater 336 during a puff event to calculate the total energy applied to the heater 336 during the puff event.

[0188] As described in more detail below, according to one or more exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105 may filter the converted heater voltage and current measurements coming from the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 and the heater current measurement circuit 21258, respectively, with a three-tap moving average filter to attenuate measurement noise. The controller 2105 then uses the filtered measurements to, for example, determine the power P applied to the heater 336. HEATER Here, "P HEATER =V HEATER * I HEATER The controller 2105 then determines the energy applied to the heater 336 during the puff event according to equation (1) below: EApplied where T=PuffLength is the length of the puff event. JPEG0007650954000001.jpg895

[0189] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the integration of equation (1) from T=0 to T=PuffLength may be in steps of 1 millisecond, although this step size may vary depending on the implementation.

[0190] Power P HEATER If constant, use a linear equation to find the energy E APPLIED can be calculated.

[0191] In step S2810, the controller 2105 determines whether the vape condition has ceased in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. Here, the vape condition may cease when the vape condition is no longer detected and the puff event has ended.

[0192] If the controller 2105 determines that the vape condition has ceased (i.e., the puff event has ended), in step S2812, the controller 2105 estimates the amount of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during the puff event based on the energy applied to the heater 336 during the puff event. Here, in this embodiment, the puff event is also referred to as a vape period or a vape interval. In one example, the energy applied to the heater 336 during the puff event may be linearly approximated to the amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation by applying a vaporization rate conversion factor obtained from the NVM 2205 in step S2802. In this case, the estimated amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation EST_AMT_VAP may be calculated as the product of the vaporization rate conversion factor VAP_CONV_FACTOR (picoliters per millijoule) and the energy applied to the heater 336 during the puff event, as shown in the following equation (2). JPEG0007650954000002.jpg6107

[0193] Next, in step S2814, the controller 2105 calculates an updated estimate of the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 by adding the amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation estimated in step S2812 to the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in the NVM 2205. Here, in this embodiment, the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is also referred to as a vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation value.

[0194] In step S2816, the controller 2105 compares the updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation with the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter obtained from the NVM 2205 in step S2802.

[0195] If the updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is greater than or equal to the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter, in step S2818, the controller 2105 controls the vapor indicator 2135 (via one or more control signals) to output an indication that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is depleted (e.g., the non-nicotine reservoir in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is empty).

[0196] In step S2820, the controller 2105 stores the updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the NVM 2205. The controller 2105 then sets an empty flag in the NVM 2205 to indicate that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has been depleted.

[0197] Setting the empty flag in NVM2205 acts as a write lock that prevents further updates to the drug product total. The write lock also prevents the empty flag from being cleared.

[0198] Thereafter, the flow returns to step S2804 and the above-described processing continues.

[0199] Returning to step S2816, if the updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is less than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter, in step S2822, the controller 2105 compares the updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation with the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold parameter.

[0200] If the updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold parameter, then in step S2824 the controller 2105 controls the vapor indicator 2135 (via control signal(s)) to output an indication that the low non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is low. In one example, the indication that the low non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is low may be in the form of a sound, a visual indication, and / or haptic feedback to the adult vaper. For example, such an indication may be a flashing yellow LED, a software message that includes a code and may be triggered by a notification in the app that is sent (e.g., via Bluetooth) to a connected "App" on the remote electronic device, a combination thereof, or the like.

[0201] Next, in step S2828, the controller 2105 updates the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in the NVM 2205. Thereafter, the process returns to step S2804 and continues as described above.

[0202] Returning to step S2822, if the updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is less than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold parameter, processing proceeds to step S2828 and continues in the manner shown in this embodiment.

[0203] Returning now to step S2810, if the controller 2105 determines that the vape condition has not yet ceased (the puff event has not ended) after the vape condition is detected, the controller 2105 continues to control the power control circuit to supply power to the heater 336 and to integrate the supplied power. If the controller 2105 determines that the vape condition has ceased, the above-described processing continues.

[0204] Returning to step S2806, if the controller 2105 determines that a vape condition does not yet exist after determining that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty flag is not set, the controller 2105 continues to monitor the output of the sensor 364 for the presence of a vape condition, and if the controller 2105 detects a vape condition, the process proceeds to S2808 and continues as described above.

[0205] 31 is disclosed with respect to determining that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is low or empty when the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation exceeds a respective threshold parameter, but the exemplary embodiment should not be limited to this example. Alternatively, the depletion of the (empty) non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir may be determined by comparison with a respective minimum non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation threshold parameter. For example, the controller 2105 may determine whether the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted (empty) by calculating the difference between the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation start level in the non-nicotine reservoir and the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation calculated in step S2814, and comparing the calculated difference with the minimum non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter in step S2816. In this example, if the calculated difference is less than the minimum non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter, the controller 2105 determines that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted.

[0206] In another example, the controller 2105 may determine whether the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is low by calculating a difference between the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation start level in the non-nicotine reservoir and the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation calculated in step S2814, and comparing the calculated difference to a minimum non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold parameter in step S2822. In this example, if the calculated difference is less than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold parameter and greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter, the controller 2105 determines that the non-nicotine reservoir is low on non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0207] In this alternative, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation starting level may be about 3500 μL, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold parameter may be about 500 μL, and the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter may be about 100 μL. The non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold parameter may be greater than zero to provide a margin to allow for measurement error in the energy used.

[0208] As discussed above, depletion of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is an example of a fault event in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. Also, as discussed above, a fault event is an event that results in one or more resulting actions in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 (e.g., a vape-off action and / or an auto-off action).

[0209] 32 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method of operation of a non-nicotine e-vaping device after performing a vape-off operation in response to detecting a fault event, such as depletion of a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, according to an exemplary embodiment. For illustrative purposes, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 32 is described with respect to depletion of a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. However, the exemplary embodiment should not be limited to this example.

[0210] Also, for illustrative purposes, the flow chart shown in FIG. 32 is described with respect to the electrical system shown in FIG. 29. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example. Rather, the exemplary embodiments are applicable to other non-nicotine e-vapor devices and their electrical systems. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 32 are described with respect to operations performed by the controller 2105. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments may similarly be described with respect to the automatic shutdown control system 2300 and / or the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level detection subsystem 2620 performing one or more of the functions / operations shown in FIG. 32.

[0211] 32, in step S3804, the controller 2105 logs the occurrence of the fault event (depletion of the non-nicotine reservoir) in the memory 2130. In one example, the controller 2105 may store an identifier of the fault event (depletion of the non-nicotine reservoir) in association with the resulting action (e.g., a vape-off action) and the time at which the fault event and the resulting action occurred.

[0212] In step S3808, the controller 2105 determines whether the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has been removed from the device body 100 within (before expiration of) the removal threshold time interval (corrective action) after (e.g., in response to) indicating to the adult vaper that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is depleted. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may determine that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has been digitally removed from the device body 100 by verifying that a set of five data contacts 326 of the non-nicotine pod assembly has been removed. In another example, the controller 2105 may determine that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has been removed from the device body 100 by sensing that the power contacts 324a, 324b and / or 326 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 have been removed from the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100.

[0213] If the controller 2105 determines that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has been removed from the device body 100 within the removal threshold time interval after (e.g., in response to) indicating to the adult vaper that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is depleted, then in step S3810 the controller 2105 controls the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 to return to normal operation (non-fault state). In this case, since the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has been removed, energy to the heater 336 is still disabled, but the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is otherwise ready to vape in response to application of negative pressure by the adult vaper when a new non-nicotine pod assembly is inserted.

[0214] In step S3812, the controller 2105 determines whether a new non-nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the device body 100 within (before expiration of) the insertion threshold time interval after removing the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and returning the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 to normal operation in step S3814.

[0215] In at least one example, the removal threshold time interval and / or the insertion threshold time interval may have a length between about 5 minutes and about 120 minutes. The removal threshold time interval and / or the insertion threshold time interval may be set to a length within this range by an adult vaper. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may determine that a new non-nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the device body 100 by sensing the resistance of the heater 336 between the power contacts 324a and 324b of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100. In a further exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may determine that a new non-nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the device body 100 by sensing the presence of a pull-up resistor included in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 between the data contacts 326 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100.

[0216] If the controller 2105 determines that a new non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the device body 100 within the insertion threshold time interval, then in step S3814, the controller 2105 controls the heating engine control circuit 2127 to re-enable the vape module (e.g., enable application of power to the heater 336). As described in more detail below, the controller 2105 may control the heating engine control circuit 2127 to re-enable the vape module by outputting a vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN having a logic low level (FIG. 34) or asserting a vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM (FIG. 36).

[0217] Returning to step S3812, if the controller 2105 determines that a new non-nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the device body 100 within the insertion threshold time interval, then in step S3816, the controller 2105 outputs another one or more control signals to perform an auto-off operation in which the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is powered off or placed into a low power mode. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in the context of a normal software auto-off, the controller 2105 may output a number or multiple GPIO control lines (signals) to turn off all or substantially all peripherals of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 and cause the controller 2105 to enter a sleep state.

[0218] Returning now to step S3808, if the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is not removed within the removal threshold time interval, the process proceeds to step S3816 and continues as described above.

[0219] FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a heater voltage measurement circuit 21252.

[0220] 33, the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 includes resistor 3702 and resistor 3704 connected in a voltage divider configuration between a terminal configured to receive an input voltage signal COIL_OUT and ground. The input voltage signal COIL_OUT is the voltage input to the heater 336. A node N3716 between resistor 3702 and resistor 3704 is coupled to a positive input of an operational amplifier (Op-Amp) 3708. A capacitor 3706 is connected between node N3716 and ground to form a low pass filter circuit (R / C filter) for stabilizing the input voltage to the positive input of the op-amp 3708. This filter circuit reduces inaccuracies due to switching noise induced by the PWM signal used to energize the heater 336 and also has the same phase response / group delay for both current and voltage.

[0221] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 further includes resistors 3710, 3712 and a capacitor 3714. The resistor 3712 is connected between the node N 3718 and a terminal configured to receive the output voltage signal COIL_RTN. The output voltage signal COIL_RTN is the voltage output from the heater 336 (the voltage at the output terminal).

[0222] The resistor 3710 and the capacitor 3714 are connected in parallel between the node N3718 and the output of the operational amplifier 3708. The node N3718 is also connected to the negative input of the operational amplifier 3708. The resistors 3710, 3712 and the capacitor 3714 are connected in a low pass filter circuit configuration.

[0223] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 utilizes an op amp 3708 to measure the voltage difference between the input voltage signal COIL_OUT and the output voltage signal COIL_RTN and outputs a scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL representative of the voltage across the heater 336. The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 outputs the scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL to an ADC pin of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement by the controller 2105.

[0224] The gain of the op-amp 3708 may be set based on surrounding passive electrical elements (e.g., resistors and capacitors) to improve the dynamic range of the voltage measurement. In one example, the dynamic range of the op-amp 3708 may be achieved by scaling the voltage so that the maximum voltage output matches the maximum input range of the ADC (e.g., approximately 1.8V). In at least one exemplary embodiment, the scaling may be approximately 267mV per volt, and thus the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 may measure up to approximately 1.8V / 0.267V=6.74V.

[0225] FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 shown in FIG.

[0226] 34, the output voltage signal COIL_RTN is input to a four terminal (4T) measurement resistor 3802 connected to ground. The differential voltage across the four terminal measurement resistor 3802 is scaled by an operational amplifier 3806 to output a heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR indicative of the current through the heater 336. The heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR is output to an ADC pin of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement of the current through the heater 336 by the controller 2105.

[0227] 34, a four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 may be used to reduce errors in the current measurement using the "Kelvin current measurement" technique. In this example, the current measurement path may be separated from the voltage measurement path to reduce noise in the voltage measurement path.

[0228] The gain of the op-amp 3806 may be set to improve the dynamic range of the measurement. In this example, the scaling of the op-amp 3806 may be about 0.577V / A, so that the heater current measurement circuit 21258 can measure up to approximately: JPEG0007650954000003.jpg1033

[0229] 34 in more detail, a first terminal of a four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 is connected to a terminal of the heater 336 to receive the output voltage signal COIL_RTN. A second terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 is connected to ground. A third terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 is connected to a low pass filter circuit (R / C filter) including a resistor 3804, a capacitor 3808, and a resistor 3810. The output of the low pass filter circuit is connected to the positive input of an operational amplifier 3806. The low pass filter circuit reduces inaccuracies due to switching noise induced by the PWM signal applied to energize the heater 336 and can also have the same phase response / group delay for both current and voltage.

[0230] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 further includes resistors 3812 and 3814, and a capacitor 3816. The resistors 3812, 3814, and the capacitor 3816 are connected to the fourth terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802, the negative input of the operational amplifier 3806, and the output of the operational amplifier 3806 in a low pass filter circuit configuration, and the output of the low pass filter circuit is connected to the negative input of the operational amplifier 3806.

[0231] The op amp 3806 outputs a differential voltage to an ADC pin of the controller 2105 as a heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR, which is used by the controller 2105 to sample and measure the current through the heater 336 .

[0232] According to at least this exemplary embodiment, the configuration of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 is similar to the configuration of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252, except that a low pass filter circuit including resistors 3804 and 3810 and capacitor 3808 is connected to one terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802, and a low pass filter circuit including resistors 3812 and 3814 and capacitor 3816 is connected to the other terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802.

[0233] The controller 2105 may average multiple samples (e.g., of voltage) over a time window (e.g., about 1 ms) corresponding to a "tick" time used in the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500 and convert the average into a mathematical representation of the voltage and current across the heater 336 through application of a scaling value. The scaling value may be determined based on the gain settings implemented in each op-amp, which may be specific to the hardware of the non-nicotine e-vaping device 500.

[0234] The controller 2105 may filter the converted voltage and current measurements with, for example, a 3-tap moving average filter to attenuate measurement noise. The controller 2105 may then use the filtered measurements to calculate, for example, Heater 336 resistance R HEATER JPEG0007650954000004.jpg1034 Power P applied to the heater 336 HEATER JPEG0007650954000005.jpg848 ·Power supply current JPEG0007650954000006.jpg1026 where JPEG0007650954000007.jpg1648. Efficiency is the power P delivered to the heater 336 over all operating conditions. in In one example, the efficiency may be at least 85%.

[0235] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the gain settings of the passive elements of the circuits shown in FIGS. 33 and / or 35 may be adjusted to match the output signal range to the input range of the controller 2105.

[0236] 35 is a circuit diagram illustrating a heating engine control circuit according to some example embodiments. The heating engine control circuit shown in FIG. 35 is an example of the heating engine control circuit 2127 shown in FIG.

[0237] Referring to FIG. 35, the heating engine control circuit 2127A includes a CMOS charge pump U2 configured to supply a power rail (e.g., an approximately 7V power rail (7V_CP)) to one or more gate driver integrated circuits (ICs) to control a power FET (also called a heating engine drive circuit or circuit, heater power control circuit not shown in FIG. 35) that energizes the heater 336 in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0238] In an example of operation, the charge pump U2 is controlled (selectively activated or deactivated) based on a vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN (also referred to as a device power state signal; vape enable signal) from the controller 2105. In the example shown in FIG. 35, the charge pump U2 is activated in response to the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN output having a logic low level and is deactivated in response to the coil shutdown signal COIL-SHDN output having a logic high level. Once the power rail 7V_CP has stabilized after activation of the charge pump U2 (e.g., after a settling time interval has elapsed), the controller 2105 may enable the heater activation signal GATE_ON to provide power to the heater power control circuitry and the heater 336.

[0239] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may perform a vape-off operation by outputting (enabling) the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN having a logic high level to disable all power to the heater 336 until the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN is disabled (transitions to a logic low level) by the controller 2105.

[0240] The controller 2105 may output a heater activation signal GATE_ON (another device power state signal) having a logic high level in response to detecting the presence of a vaping condition in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. In this exemplary embodiment, transistors (e.g., field effect transistors (FETs)) Q5 and Q7A' are activated when the controller 2105 enables the heater activation signal GATE_ON to a logic high level. The controller 2105 may output the heater activation signal GATE_ON having a logic low level to disable power to the heater 336, thereby performing a heater off operation.

[0241] In the event of a power stage fault in which transistors Q5 and Q7A′ are not responsive to the heater activation signal GATE_ON, the controller 2105 may perform a vape shut-down operation by outputting a vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN having a logic high level to cut off power to the gate drivers, thereby also cutting off power to the heater 336.

[0242] In another example, if the controller 2105 fails to boot properly, resulting in the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN having an indeterminate state, the heating engine control circuit 2127A automatically pulls the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN to a logic high level and automatically cuts off power to the heater 336.

[0243] More specifically, with respect to FIG. 35, capacitor C9, charge pump U2, and capacitor C10 are connected in a positive voltage doubler configuration. Capacitor C9 is connected between pins C- and C+ of charge pump U2 and serves as a non-nicotine reservoir for charge pump U2. The input voltage terminal VIN of charge pump U2 is connected to voltage source BATT at node N3801, and capacitor C10 is connected between ground and output voltage terminal VOUT of charge pump U2 at node N3802. Capacitor C10 provides a filter and non-nicotine reservoir for the output from charge pump U2, allowing the voltage output from charge pump U2 to be more stable.

[0244] Capacitor C11 is connected between node N3801 and ground and provides a filter and non-nicotine reservoir for the input voltage to charge pump U2.

[0245] Resistor R10 is connected between a positive voltage supply and the shutdown terminal SHDN. Resistor R10 functions as a pull-up resistor that ensures that the input to the shutdown terminal SHDN is high when the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN is in an indeterminate state, thereby disabling the output (VOUT) of charge pump U2 and cutting off power to the heater 336.

[0246] Resistor R43 is connected between ground and the gate of transistor Q7A' at node N3804. Resistor R43 acts as a pull-down resistor to ensure that transistor Q7A' is in a high impedance (OFF) state when heater activation signal GATE_ON is in an indeterminate state, thereby disabling power rail 7V_CP and cutting off power to heater 336.

[0247] Resistor R41 is connected between node N3802, between the gate of transistor Q5 and the drain of transistor Q7A', and node N3803. Resistor R41 functions as a pull-down resistor to more reliably switch off transistor Q5.

[0248] Transistor Q5 is configured to selectively isolate power rail 7V_CP from the VOUT terminal of charge pump U2. The gate of transistor Q5 is connected to node N3803, the drain of transistor Q5 is connected to the output voltage terminal VOUT of charge pump U2 at node N3802, and the source of transistor Q5 functions as the output terminal of power rail 7V_CP. This configuration allows capacitor C10 to reach its operating voltage sooner by isolating the load, providing a fail-safe in that power is not supplied to heater 336 unless both vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN and heater enable signal GATE_ON are in the correct state.

[0249] Transistor Q7A is configured to control the operation of transistor Q5 based on heater activation signal GATE_ON. For example, when heater activation signal GATE_ON is at a logic high level (e.g., ∼2V or higher), transistor Q7A is in its low impedance (ON) state, which causes the gate of transistor Q5 to be grounded, thereby transitioning transistor Q5 to its low impedance (ON) state. In this case, heat engine control circuit 2127A outputs power rail 7V_CP to a heat engine drive circuit (not shown), which enables power to be provided to heater 336.

[0250] When the heater activation signal GATE_ON is a logic low level, transistor Q7A transitions to a high impedance (OFF) state, which discharges the gate of transistor Q5 through resistor R41, thereby transitioning transistor Q5 to a high impedance (OFF) state. In this case, power rail 7V_CP is not output and power to the heating engine drive circuitry (and heater 336) is cut off.

[0251] 35, in order for transistor Q5 to go into a high impedance (OFF) state, a gate voltage (up to 7V) similar to the source voltage is required, so controller 2105 does not directly control transistor Q5. Transistor Q7A provides a mechanism for controlling transistor Q5 based on a low voltage from controller 2105.

[0252] 36 is a circuit diagram illustrating another heating engine control circuit according to an exemplary embodiment. The heating engine control circuit shown in FIG. 36 is another implementation of the heating engine control circuit 2127 shown in FIG.

[0253] 36, the heating engine control circuit 2127B includes a rail converter circuit 39020 (also referred to as a boost converter circuit) and a gate driver circuit 39040. The rail converter circuit 39020 is configured to output a voltage signal 9V_GATE (also referred to as a power signal or an input voltage signal) for powering the gate driver circuit 39040 based on a vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM (also referred to as a vape shutdown signal). The rail converter circuit 39020 uses the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM to regulate the 9V_GATE output, which may be software defined.

[0254] The gate driver circuit 39040 uses the input voltage signal 9V_GATE from the rail converter circuit 39020 to drive the heating engine drive circuit 3906.

[0255] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 36, the rail converter circuit 39020 generates the input voltage signal 9V_GATE only when the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is present. The controller 2105 may disable the 9V rail and cut off power to the gate driver circuit 39040 by deasserting (stopping or terminating) the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM. Similar to the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 35, the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM may function as a device state power signal for performing a vape-off operation in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. In this example, the controller 2105 may perform a vape-off operation by deasserting the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM, thereby disabling all power to the gate driver circuit 39040, the heating engine drive circuit 3906, and the heater 336. The controller 2105 may then enable vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 by re-asserting the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM to the rail converter circuit 39020.

[0256] 35, the controller 2105 may output a first heater enable signal GATE_ENB having a logic high level to enable power to the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and the heater 336 in response to detecting a vaping condition in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. The controller 2105 may output the first heater enable signal GATE_ENB having a logic low level to disable power to the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and the heater 336, thereby performing a heater off operation.

[0257] Referring more particularly to the rail converter circuit 39020 of Figure 36, a capacitor C36 is connected between a voltage source BATT and ground. Capacitor C36 functions as a non-nicotine reservoir for the rail converter circuit 39020.

[0258] A first terminal of the inductor L1006 is connected to a node Node1 between the voltage source BATT and the capacitor C36. The inductor L1006 functions as the main storage element of the rail converter circuit 39020.

[0259] The second terminal of inductor L1006, the drain of transistor (e.g., enhancement mode MOSFET) Q1009, and the first terminal of capacitor C1056 are connected at node Node2. The source of transistor Q1009 is connected to ground, and the gate of transistor Q1009 is configured to receive a vapour enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM from controller 2105.

[0260] In the example shown in FIG. 36, transistor Q1009 functions as the main switching element of rail converter circuit 39020.

[0261] A resistor R29 is connected between the gate of transistor Q1009 and ground to act as a pull-down resistor to more reliably switch off transistor Q1009 and prevent operation of heater 336 when the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is in an uncertain state.

[0262] A second terminal of the capacitor C1056 is connected to the cathode of the Zener diode D1012 and the anode of the Zener diode D1013 at the node Node3. The anode of the Zener diode D1012 is connected to ground.

[0263] The cathode of the Zener diode D1013 is connected to a terminal of the capacitor C35 and to an input of a voltage divider circuit including resistors R1087 and R1088 at a node Node4. The other terminal of the capacitor C35 is connected to ground. The voltage at the node Node4 is the output voltage 9V_GATE output from the rail converter circuit 39020.

[0264] A resistor R1089 is connected to the output of the voltage divider circuit at node Node5.

[0265] In exemplary operation, when the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is asserted to a logic high level, transistor Q1009 switches to a low impedance state (ON), thereby allowing current to flow from voltage source BATT and capacitor C36 through inductor L1006 and transistor Q1009 to ground, causing energy to be stored in inductor L1006, causing the current to increase linearly with time.

[0266] When the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is at a logic low level, the transistor Q1009 switches to a high impedance state (OFF), and the inductor L1006 keeps current flowing (linearly decaying), and the voltage at the node Node2 rises.

[0267] The duty cycle of the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM determines the amount of voltage rise for a given load. Thus, the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is controlled in a closed loop by the controller 2105 using the feedback signal COIL_VGATE_FB output by the voltage divider circuit at node Node5 as feedback. The switching described above occurs at a relatively high rate (e.g., approximately 2 MHz, although different frequencies may be used depending on the required parameters and component values).

[0268] Still referring to the rail converter circuit 39020 of FIG. 36, the capacitor C1056 is an AC coupling capacitor that provides a DC block to remove DC levels. The capacitor C1056 blocks current from the voltage source BATT through the inductor L1006 and the diode D1013 to the gate driver circuit 39040 when the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is low (e.g., when the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is in standby mode) to conserve battery life. The capacitance of the capacitor C1056 may be selected to provide a relatively low impedance path at the switching frequency.

[0269] Zener diode D1012 establishes the ground level of the switching signal. The voltage at node Node3 may be normally bipolar because capacitor C1056 removes the DC level. As an example, Zener diode D1012 may clamp the negative half cycle of the signal to approximately 0.3V below ground.

[0270] Capacitor C35 functions as an output non-nicotine reservoir for the rail converter circuit 39020. Zener diode D1013 blocks current from capacitor C35 from flowing through capacitor C1056 and transistor Q1009 when transistor Q1009 is ON.

[0271] When the decaying current from inductor L1006 causes a voltage rise at node Node4 between Zener diode D1013 and capacitor C35, the current flows into capacitor C35, which maintains the 9V_GATE voltage while storing energy in inductor L1006.

[0272] A voltage divider network including resistors R1087 and R1088 reduces the voltage to an acceptable level for measurement by the ADC of controller 2105. This reduced voltage signal is output as the feedback signal COIL_VGATE_FB.

[0273] In the circuit shown in FIG. 36, the feedback signal COIL_VGATE_FB voltage is scaled by approximately 0.25 times so that the 9V output voltage is reduced to approximately 2.25V for input to the ADC in the controller 2105.

[0274] Resistor R1089 provides current limiting for overvoltage faults at the output of the rail converter circuit 39020 (eg, node Node4) and protects the ADC in the controller 2105.

[0275] A 9V output voltage signal 9V_GATE is output from the rail converter circuit 39020 to the gate driver circuit 39040, supplying power to the gate driver circuit 39040.

[0276] Turning now to the gate driver circuit 39040 in more detail, the gate driver circuit 39040 includes, among other things, an integrated gate driver U2003 configured to convert low current signal(s) from the controller 2105 into high current signals for controlling switching of transistors (e.g., MOSFETs) of the heating engine drive circuit 3906. The integrated gate driver U2003 is also configured to convert voltage levels from the controller 2105 into voltage levels required by the transistors of the heating engine drive circuit 3906. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 36, the integrated gate driver U2003 is a half-bridge driver. However, the exemplary embodiment should not be limited to this example.

[0277] More specifically, the 9V output voltage from the rail converter circuit 39020 is input to the gate driver circuit 39040 via a filter circuit including resistor R2012 and capacitor C2009. The filter circuit including resistor R2012 and capacitor C2009 is connected to the VCC terminal (pin 4) of the integrated gate driver U2003 and the anode of the Zener diode S2002 at node Node6. The second terminal of the capacitor C2009 is connected to ground. The anode of the Zener diode D2002 is connected to a first terminal of the capacitor C2007 and to the boost terminal BST (pin 1) of the integrated gate driver U2003 at node Node7. The second terminal of the capacitor C2007 is connected to the switching node terminal SWN (terminal 7) of the integrated gate driver U2003 and the heating engine drive circuit 3906 (e.g., between two MOSFETs) at node Node8. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 36, Zener diode D2002 and capacitor C2007 form part of a bootstrap charge pump circuit connected between the input voltage terminal VCC and the boost terminal BST of the integrated gate driver U2003. Capacitor C2007 is connected to the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE from the rail converter circuit 39020 and therefore charges through diode D2002 to a voltage approximately equal to the voltage signal 9V_GATE.

[0278] 36, the high-side gate driver terminal DRVH (pin 8), the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL (pin 5) and the EP terminal (pin 9) of the integrated gate driver U2003 are also connected to the heating engine drive circuit 3906.

[0279] The resistor R2013 and the capacitor C2010 form a filter circuit connected to the input terminal IN (pin 2) of the integrated gate driver U2003. The filter circuit is configured to remove high frequency noise from the second heater enable signal COIL_Z input to the input terminal. Note that the second heater enable signal COIL_Z may be a PWM signal from the controller 2105.

[0280] Resistor R2014 is connected to the filter circuit and to the input terminal IN of node Node9. Resistor R2014 is used as a pull-down resistor such that if the second heater enable signal COIL_Z is floating (or undefined), it holds the input terminal IN of the integrated gate driver U2003 at a logic low level, preventing operation of the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and heater 336.

[0281] The first heater enable signal GATE_ENB from the controller 2105 is input to the OD terminal (pin 3) of the integrated gate driver U2003. A resistor R2016 is connected to the OD terminal of the integrated gate driver U2003 as a pull-down resistor, and is configured to hold the OD terminal of the integrated gate driver U2003 at a logic low level to prevent the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and the heater 336 from starting up if the first heater enable signal GATE_ENB from the controller 2105 is floating (or undefined).

[0282] 36, the heating engine drive circuit 3906 includes a transistor (e.g., MOSFET) circuit including transistors (e.g., MOSFETs) 39062 and 39064 connected in series between a voltage source BATT and ground. The gate of transistor 39064 is connected to the low side gate driver terminal DRVL (pin 5) of the integrated gate driver U2003, the drain of transistor 39064 is connected to the switching node terminal SWN (pin 7) of the integrated gate driver U2003 at node Node8, and the source of transistor 39064 is connected to ground GND.

[0283] When the low-side gate drive signal output from the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL is high, the transistor 39064 is in a low impedance state (ON), thereby connecting the node Node8 to ground.

[0284] As described above, capacitor C2007 is connected to the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE from the rail converter circuit 39020 and is therefore charged through diode D2002 to a voltage equal to or substantially equal to the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE.

[0285] When the low-side gate drive signal output from the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL is low, the transistor 39064 switches to a high-impedance state (OFF), and the high-side gate driver terminal DRVH (pin 8) is internally connected to the boost terminal BST in the integrated gate driver U2003. As a result, the transistor 39062 switches to a low-impedance state (ON), which connects the switching node SWN to the voltage source BATT, allowing the switching node SWN (Node 8) to be pulled to the voltage of the voltage source BATT.

[0286] In this case, node Node7 is pulled up to a boosted voltage V(BST)≈V(9V_GATE)+V(BATT), which allows the gate-to-source voltage of transistor 39062 to be made the same or substantially the same as the voltage of the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE (e.g., V(9V_GATE)) regardless of (or independent of) the voltage from voltage source BATT. As a result, switching node SWN (node ​​8) provides a high current switching signal that can be used to generate a voltage output to heater 336 that is substantially independent of the voltage output from battery voltage source BATT.

[0287] While exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations are possible. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device, comprising: a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device assembly; the non-nicotine pod assembly comprises a memory, a non-nicotine reservoir, and a heater; The memory stores non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameters and a total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; the non-nicotine reservoir holds a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; The heater vaporizes the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; the device assembly is configured to engage with the non-nicotine pod assembly and includes a controller; The controller: estimating an amount of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during the puff event based on the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameters retrieved from the memory and a total amount of power provided to the heater during the puff event; determining an updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation based on the total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in the memory and the amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during the puff event; determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold, wherein the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold comprises a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold; and controlling the non-nicotine e-vaporing device to output an indication of a current level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold. setting an empty flag in the memory in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold; resetting the empty flag in the memory in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is less than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold. It is configured as follows: Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

2. 10. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 1, the controller is configured to control the non-nicotine e-vaporing device to output an indication that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

3. 10. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 1, setting the empty flag to prevent further updates to the updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

4. 10. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 1, the controller is configured to disable vaping at the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

5. 10. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 1, the memory stores the empty flag indicating whether the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted; The controller: Obtaining the empty flag from the memory; determining that the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted based on the value of the empty flag; configured to disable vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

6. 10. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 1, the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold comprises a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold; the controller is configured to control the non-nicotine e-vaporing device to output an indication that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is low in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

7. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 1, the controller resets the empty flag in the memory in response to a corrective action; The corrective action includes one or both of removing the non-nicotine pod assembly from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device and replacing the non-nicotine pod assembly. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

8. 1. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device, comprising: a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device assembly; the non-nicotine pod assembly comprises a non-nicotine reservoir, a heater, and a memory; the non-nicotine reservoir holds a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; The heater vaporizes the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; the memory stores non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameters and a total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; the device assembly is configured to engage with the non-nicotine pod assembly and includes a controller; The controller: estimating an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir during the puff event based on the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameter and a total amount of power provided to the heater during the puff event; determining an updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir based on a total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir stored in the memory and an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir during the puff event; determining that an updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold; controlling the non-nicotine e-vapor device to output an indication of a current level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir in response to determining that the updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold. It is configured as follows: Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

9. 9. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 8, the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold comprises a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold; the controller is configured to control the non-nicotine e-vapor device to output an indication of an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir in response to determining that the updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

10. 10. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 9, the controller is configured to set an empty flag in the memory in response to determining that the updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

11. 11. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 10, setting the empty flag to prevent further updates to the updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

12. 10. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 9, the controller is configured to disable vaping at the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

13. 9. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 8, the memory stores an empty flag indicating whether the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted; The controller: Obtaining the empty flag from the memory; determining that the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted based on the value of the empty flag; configured to disable vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

14. 9. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 8, the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold comprises a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold; the controller is configured to control the non-nicotine e-vapor device to output an indication that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is low in response to determining that the updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation low threshold. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

15. 1. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device, comprising: A controller is provided. The controller obtains an empty flag from a memory; the memory is included in a non-nicotine pod assembly inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device; the empty flag is a flag indicating that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly is depleted; Disabling vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device based on the empty flag retrieved from the memory. It is configured as follows: Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

16. 16. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 15, the controller enables vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to detecting a removal of a non-nicotine pod assembly from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a removal threshold time interval after disabling vaping; It is configured as follows: Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

17. 17. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 16, The controller: determining that a new non-nicotine pod assembly is not inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device after the non-nicotine pod assembly is removed and before an expiration of an insertion threshold time interval; shutting down a power source of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to identifying that the new non-nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device before expiration of the insertion threshold time interval. It is configured as follows: Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

18. 16. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 15, The controller: determining that the non-nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device prior to expiration of a removal threshold time interval; in response to determining that the non-nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device prior to expiration of a removal threshold time interval, shutting down a power source of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device. It is configured as follows: Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

19. 16. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 15, a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device assembly; the non-nicotine pod assembly comprises a non-nicotine reservoir, a heater, and a memory; the non-nicotine reservoir holds the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the non-nicotine pod assembly; The heater vaporizes the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; the memory stores non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameters and a total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; the device assembly is configured to engage with the non-nicotine pod assembly and includes a controller; The controller: estimating an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir during the puff event based on the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameter and a total amount of power provided to the heater during the puff event; determining an updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir based on a total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir stored in the memory and an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir during the puff event; determining that an updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold; setting an empty flag in the memory in response to determining that the updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold. It is configured as follows: Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

20. 20. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 19, the controller is configured to control the non-nicotine e-vapor device to output an indication in response to the empty flag that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

21. 16. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 15, a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device assembly; the non-nicotine pod assembly comprises a non-nicotine reservoir, a heater, and a memory; the non-nicotine reservoir holds the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the non-nicotine pod assembly; The heater vaporizes the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; The memory stores non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameters and a total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; the device assembly is configured to engage with the non-nicotine pod assembly and includes a controller; The controller: estimating an amount of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during the puff event based on the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameters retrieved from the memory and a total amount of power provided to the heater during the puff event; determining an updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation based on a total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in said memory and an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during said puff event; determining that the updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold; setting an empty flag in the memory in response to determining that the updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold. It is configured as follows: Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

22. 22. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 21, the controller is configured to control the non-nicotine e-vapor device to output an indication in response to the empty flag that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir is depleted. Non-nicotine electronic vaping devices.

23. 1. A method of controlling a non-nicotine electronic vaping device, comprising: The non-nicotine electronic vaping device includes a non-nicotine reservoir and a heater, the non-nicotine reservoir holds a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; The heater vaporizes the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; estimating an amount of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized by the heater during the puff event based on a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameter and a total amount of power provided to the heater during the puff event; determining an updated total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation based on a total amount of vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation stored in memory and an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporized during said puff event; determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold, wherein the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold comprises a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold; in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold, outputting an indication of a current level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir; setting an empty flag in the memory in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is equal to or greater than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold; resetting the empty flag in the memory in response to determining that the updated total amount of the vaporized non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is less than the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation empty threshold. method.

24. 1. A method of controlling a non-nicotine electronic vaping device, comprising: The non-nicotine electronic vaping device includes a non-nicotine reservoir and a heater, the non-nicotine reservoir holds a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; The heater vaporizes the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir; estimating an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir during the puff event based on a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation vaporization parameter and a total amount of power provided to the heater during the puff event; determining an updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir based on a total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir and an amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir during the puff event, the total amount being stored in a memory; determining that an updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold; in response to determining that the updated total amount of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation removed from the non-nicotine reservoir is equal to or greater than the at least one non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold, outputting an indication of a current level of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine reservoir. method.

25. 1. A method of controlling a non-nicotine electronic vaping device, comprising: The non-nicotine electronic vaping device includes a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device assembly, Get the empty flag from memory, the memory is included in the non-nicotine pod assembly inserted into the device assembly; the empty flag is a flag indicating that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly is depleted; Disabling vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device based on the empty flag retrieved from the memory. method.

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