Pre-capped cartridge device and method of filling the same with a needle without overfilling the heater of the pre-capped cartridge device

Abstract

A vaping device includes several components such as a mouthpiece, a plug, and an enclosure or housing. During an assembly in the factory, the plug installed on top of the enclosure. The mouthpiece is snapped to a first groove to fix it on the enclosure. During the filling process, a needle penetrates through the mouthpiece and the plug in the thinner place of the plug. When filling starts, substance pushes the air out of the enclosure through holes defined in the plug. After the filling process is complete, the mouthpiece is pushed down on the enclosure to snap on a second groove, which will close air channels in the plug with plugs from the mouthpiece. The needle is extracted thereafter.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for filling a disposable electronic-cigarette cartridge with a liquid substance, and in particular, to the disposable electronic-cigarette cartridge and the method for topping up cartridges, which must be filled to their edge with a liquid and be closed by a sealing membrane.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Disposable electronic-cigarette cartridges have recently been proposed containing a hygroscopic (e.g. cotton-wool) wad impregnated with a viscous liquid substance containing nicotine and possibly also aromas. In actual use, the electronic cigarette heats the disposable cartridge to slowly volatilize (vaporize) the viscous liquid substance impregnating the hygroscopic wad.

[0003] Disposable cartridges of this sort are manufactured by producing a disposable cartridge with an open top end; inserting a dry hygroscopic wad inside the disposable cartridge; filling the disposable cartridge with a calibrated amount of liquid substance; and then plugging the open top end of the disposable cartridge with a plug permeable to vapor (i.e. that keeps in the liquid substance, but lets out the vapors produced by heating the liquid substance).

[0004] The most critical stage in the manufacture of disposable cartridges is filling them with the liquid substance. This is an extremely time-consuming job, partly on account of the liquid substance fed into the disposable cartridge having to impregnate the hygroscopic wad (a relatively slow process), and partly on account of the viscous nature of the liquid substance itself (i.e. its high density, which slows down its movement). As a result, currently used disposable cartridge manufacturing methods are extremely slow (i.e. have a low output rate) on account of the time taken to fill the disposable cartridges with the liquid substance.

[0005] Prior art is replete with various applications for filling the cartridges. For example, one such prior art is an apparatus for filling a cartridge with a liquid comprises, a platform on which the cartridge is supported and which can be lifted relative to a stationary filling needle so that this filling needle is moved into the cartridge, a pump feeding liquid through the filling needle into the cartridge, a sensor head from which a beam of light is sent from one side of the cartridge to the other along a path immediately over an upper edge of the cartridge, and a reflector reflecting the light beam back to the sensor head, which is connected to a sensor box which produces a signal stopping the pump and causing the needle to be drawn out of the cartridge when this cartridge is full and the liquid forms a droplet over the opening of the cartridge, which droplet deflects the light beam.

[0006] Another prior art approach was disclosed in United States Application Publication No. US20170233114A1 to Steven Christensen et al. (the Christensen reference). The Christensen reference mentioned another prior art reference such as Patent application serial number WO2015028815 A1 (the WO2015028815 A1 reference). The WO2015028815 A1 reference mentioned the use of a sufficiently large elastomeric component of sufficiently low durometer that it can be pierced simultaneously by two hypodermic style needles whose pierce sites will reseal sufficiently after the needles are removed. This approach assumes an effective seal between the elastomeric component and the filling needle but requires a second, venting needle. One needle is described as being the inlet for liquid into the interior of the cartridge, while the other for the evacuation of the air that is inside the cartridge before filling. This approach allows the cartridges to be fully assembled at the time of fill.

[0007] The Christensen reference mentioned another approach where two needles may alleviate the need to perform a separate capping operation, it also has issues in terms of its ability to fill the cartridge completely and with a precise volume of liquid. Each pierce location is a potential failure site in the final product, and thus using a secondary vent pierce site doubles the chance of a problem with the final product and during the piercing process. In addition, if passive venting is chosen through the second needle, the level of fill must be sufficiently low to prevent liquid ever reaching the second needle, because although air can easily vent through the small diameter needle; liquid in the needle constitutes a significant blockage. Once liquid enters the second needle, air may no longer flow, even if still trapped within the electronic cigarette or cartridge reservoir. If active venting is chosen, there is a similar risk that the vacuum will pull liquid out of the cartridge, causing waste and introducing additional randomness to the final fill volume.

[0008] Finally, as stated in the Christensen reference, in all cases the secondary vent pierce limits how full the container can be filled since the needle has to pierce sufficiently deeply to ensure that it's opening is fully below the surface of the elastomeric component, which inherently means that there is some cavity of air left above it that can never be displaced. This issue persists even if a production method is created that can tolerate the liquid front reaching all the way to the vent location. Once the liquid front reaches the vent location any incremental liquid added to the system either gets forced through the vents or through the porous wick to the outside of the tank.

[0009] Alluding to the above, the Christensen reference, tried to offer a solution that will eliminate any shortcoming, drawbacks, and problems of prior art methods of filling the cartridges. The Christensen reference teaches an apparatuses and systems including tanks to be filled with a vaporizable liquid and methods of filing them. Also described are systems for filling one or a plurality of cartridges having tanks without entrapping air within the tank volume. For example, described herein are methods of filling a tank volume of a cartridge for an electronic cigarette from a bottom or side surface opposite a wick so that the wick remains at least partially dry and can vent air during filling until the tank volume is full.

[0010] A method of filling a tank volume of an electronic cigarette cartridge with a liquid vaporizable material, as disclosed in the Christensen reference, teaches the use of the cartridge that includes a porous wick at a first end of the tank volume. The cartridge is positioned on a surface so that the porous wick is positioned on a top or side surface. A needle is inserted into the tank volume from a bottom or side surface, opposite from the porous wick followed by injecting vaporizable liquid into the tank volume followed by venting air out of the tank through the porous wick until the tank volume is full of the vaporizable liquid and no air is entrapped within the tank volume.

[0011] The method taught by the Christensen reference still has numerous drawbacks and issued. For example, injecting a vaporizable liquid into the tank volume and venting air out of the tank through the porous wick until the tank volume is full of the vaporizable liquid and no air is entrapped within the tank volume is not effective as the speed of removing or forcing hot air out of the tank through the porous wick is not effective.

[0012] Therefore, an opportunity exists for improved assembly and method for filling a disposable electronic-cigarette cartridge with a liquid substance and removing hot air from the cartridge at a high speed.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A vaping device includes several components such as a mouthpiece, a plug, and an enclosure or housing. The mouthpiece includes a top portion defining an opening to inhale the fluids and to receive a needle to fill the housing with the vaporizable fluids. A peripheral wall extends to an open bottom defined by a front edge of the peripheral wall. The mouthpiece defines an outer surface and an inner surface. The peripheral wall includes a pair of male connectors extending through from the inner surface of the peripheral wall close to the front edge. The peripheral wall further extends to a bottom. A pair of extensions extend from the bottom. The plug includes a top portion and a base portion extending from the top portion.

[0014] The base portion includes an outer wall, a pair of inlets to receive the extensions and a pair of side holes. The base portion includes a front area wherein the inlets extend therethrough from the top portion to the front area. A central inlet is defined in the base portion and is located between the inlets. A plurality of grooves extends outwardly from the outer wall. The plug may present a circular cross section and a non-circular cross section without limiting the scope of the present invention. The plug may be formed from a silicone material to be resilient and to allow uninterrupted penetration of the needle therethrough to fill the housing with the fluid.

[0015] The enclosure or housing includes a main portion, extending to a neck formed by a peripheral wall and extending to an open front. The peripheral wall includes a pair of adjacent semi-circular female connectors or grooves separated by a pair of side ribs extending outwardly from the peripheral wall and being parallel an axis of the vaping device. The side ribs are used to be engaged inside side grooves defined in the peripheral wall of the mouthpiece to prevent rotational movement of the mouthpiece relative the housing and around the axis. The female connectors or grooves are used to receive the pair of male connectors extending from the peripheral wall of the mouthpiece. The peripheral wall includes a pair of elongated slots formed therein each adjacent the respective side channel to fluidly engage with the pair of side holes of the plug. The open front of the housing has a shape to complementary receive the base portion of the plug. The housing includes a cavity to receive the fluid in the manned as will be discussed further below.

[0016] Alluding to the above, a method of forming the vaping device includes the step of moving the mouthpiece between a first operational position wherein the needle penetrates the plug along the axis to extend into the housing and followed by the step of injecting the fluid into the housing whereby the extensions of the mouthpiece are located above the pair of inlets forming a channel defined between the pair of inlets and the central opening to allow heat, i.e. hot air, to escape therethrough and out of the central opening as the fluid escapes the needle to fill in said housing.

[0017] The method further includes a step of placing or positioning the male connector in one of the semi-circular female connectors and followed a second operational position as the needle is retracted from the plug and away from the mouthpiece as the extensions of the mouthpiece are inserted into the pair of inlets to seal the channel defined between the pair of inlets and the central opening as the male connector is positioned in another of the semi-circular female connectors. The method further includes the step of seal and snapping the mouthpiece with the housing to prevent the escape of the fluid from the vaping device during transportation.

[0018] The objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from inspection of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which an embodiment of the present invention is described and illustrated.

[0019] The exact manner in which the foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved in practice will become more clearly apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention described in detail in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, where in like reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the vaping device in a first operational mode before the fluid is injected into the vaping device;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the vaping device in a second operational mode before the fluid is injected into the vaping device;

[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vaping device taken from a top;

[0024] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the vaping device taken from a bottom;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the vaping device in a first operational mode before the fluid is injected into the vaping device;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the vaping device in a second operational mode before the fluid is injected into the vaping device;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the vaping device in a first operational mode; and

[0028] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the vaping device in a second operational mode.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, a vaping device is generally shown at 10 in FIGS. 1 through 8. The words “inner”, “inwardly” and “outer”, “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or a geometric center of an element being described, the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description. Additionally, as used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “module” is intended to mean one or more modules or a combination of modules. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “based on” includes based at least in part on. Thus, a feature that is described as based on some cause, can be based only on that cause, or based on that cause and on one or more other causes.

[0030] It will be apparent that multiple embodiments of this disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present embodiments. The following description of embodiments includes references to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural, logical and operational changes can be made without departing from the scope of what is claimed. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0031] Alluding to the above, for purposes of this patent document, the terms “or” and “and” shall mean “and / or” unless stated otherwise or clearly intended otherwise by the context of their use. The term “a” shall mean “one or more” unless stated otherwise or where the use of “one or more” is clearly inappropriate. The terms “comprise,”“comprising,”“include,” and “including” are interchangeable and not intended to be limiting. For example, the term “including” shall be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.”

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 8, a vaping device, generally shown at 10, includes several components such as a mouthpiece, generally indicated at 12, a plug, generally indicated at 14, and an enclosure or housing, generally indicated at 16. The housing 16 is connected to a main housing of an entire electronic vaping device or assembly 17. All functional elements of the assembly 17, such as hardware and software, are common and may vary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0033] The mouthpiece 12 includes a top portion 18 defining an opening 20 to inhale the fluids F and to receive a needle 22 to fill the housing 16 with the fluids F to be discussed in detail further below. A peripheral wall 24 extends to an open bottom defined by a front edge 26 of the peripheral wall 24. The mouthpiece 12 defined an outer surface 28 and an inner surface 30. The peripheral wall 26 includes a pair of male connectors 32 and 34 extending through from the inner surface 30 of the peripheral wall 24 close to the front edge 26. The peripheral wall 24 further extends to a bottom 38.

[0034] Alluding to the above, a pair of extensions 40, 42 extend from the bottom 38. The mouthpiece 12 may present a circular cross section and a non-circular cross section. The extensions 40, 42 may have a circular cross section and a non-circular cross section. The mouthpiece 12 may be formed from an organic material and a non-organic material. The materials, cross sections, and shapes disclosed herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0035] Referring now to the plug 14, it includes a top portion 50 and a base portion 52 extending from the top portion 50. The base portion 52 includes an outer wall 51, a pair of inlets 54, 56 to receive the extensions 40, 42, respectively. Each inlet 54, 56 includes an inclined front surface 57 and inner ribs 59 extending from the inner surface of each inlet 54, 59 to closely engage the extensions 40, 42 inserted into each inlet 54, 56.

[0036] Alluding to the above, a pair of side holes 60, 62 are defined in the top portion 50 of the plug 14. The base portion 52 includes a front area 64, wherein the inlets 54, 56 extends therethrough from the top portion 50 to the front area 64. A central inlet 70 is defined in the base portion 52 and located between the inlets 54, 56.

[0037] A plurality of grooves 72 and lips 74 extend outwardly from the outer wall 51. The plug 14 may present a circular cross section and a non-circular cross section. The plug 14 may be formed from a silicone material to be resilient and to allow uninterrupted penetration of a needle therethrough to fill the housing 16 with the fluid F, which can be an air, a gas, any sorts of liquids and oil without limiting the scope of the present invention. It can also be formed from an organic material and a non-organic material. The materials, cross sections, and shapes disclosed herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0038] The enclosure or housing 16 include a main portion, generally indicated at 80, extending to a neck 80 formed by a peripheral wall 84 and extending to an open front 86. The peripheral wall 84 includes a pair of adjacent semi-circular female connectors or grooves 90, 92 separated by a pair of side ribs 94, 96 extending from the peripheral wall 84 and being parallel an axis A. The side ribs 94, 96 are used to be engaged inside side grooves 98, 99 defined in the peripheral wall 24 of the mouthpiece 12 to prevent rotational movement of the mouthpiece 12 relative the housing 16 and around the axis A.

[0039] The female connectors or grooves 90, 92 are used to receive the pair of male connectors 32 and 34 extending from the peripheral wall 26 of the mouthpiece 12. The peripheral wall 84 includes a pair of elongated slots 100, 102 formed therein each adjacent the respective side channel 94, 96 to fluidly engage with the pair of side holes 60, 62 of the plug 14. The open front 86 of the housing has a shape to complementary receive the base portion 52 of the plug 14. The housing 16 includes a cavity 104 to receive the fluid F in the manned as will be discussed further below.

[0040] Alluding to the above, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a method of forming the vaping device 10 includes the step of moving the mouthpiece 12 between a first operational position, in a direction as shown at X1 in FIG. 7, wherein the needle 22 penetrates the plug 14 along the axis A to extend into the housing 16 and followed by the step of injecting the fluid F into the housing 14 whereby the extensions 40, 42 of the mouthpiece 12 are located above the pair of inlets 54, 56 forming a channel defined between the pair of inlets 54, 56 and the central opening 20 to allow heat, i.e. hot air or hot gas or heat, to escape therethrough, as shown by broken arrows in FIG. 7, and out of the central opening 20 as the fluid F escapes the needle 22 to fill in cavity 104 of the housing 16.

[0041] The method further includes a step of placing or positioning the male connector 32 in one of the semi-circular female connectors 90 and followed a second operational position as the needle 22 is retracted from the plug 14 and away from the mouthpiece 12, shown by an arrow at Y in FIG. 8, as the extensions 40, 42 of the mouthpiece 12 are inserted into the pair of inlets 54, 56 to seal the channel defined between the pair of inlets 54, 56 and the central opening 20 as the male connector 90 is positioned in another of the semi-circular female connectors 92. The method further includes the step of sealing and snapping the mouthpiece 12 with the housing 16, as shown by an arrow at X2 in FIG. 8, to prevent the escape of the fluid F from the vaping device 10 during transportation.

[0042] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029]Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, a vaping device is generally shown at 10 in FIGS. 1 through 8. The words “inner”, “inwardly” and “outer”, “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or a geometric center of an element being described, the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description. Additionally, as used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “module” is intended to mean one or more modules or a combination of modules. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “based on” includes based at least in part on. Thus, a feature that is described as based on some cause, can be based only on that cause, or based on that cause and on one or more other causes.

[0030]It will be apparent that multiple embodiments of this disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other ins...

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for filling a disposable electronic-cigarette cartridge with a liquid substance, and in particular, to the disposable electronic-cigarette cartridge and the method for topping up cartridges, which must be filled to their edge with a liquid and be closed by a sealing membrane.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Disposable electronic-cigarette cartridges have recently been proposed containing a hygroscopic (e.g. cotton-wool) wad impregnated with a viscous liquid substance containing nicotine and possibly also aromas. In actual use, the electronic cigarette heats the disposable cartridge to slowly volatilize (vaporize) the viscous liquid substance impregnating the hygroscopic wad.

[0003] Disposable cartridges of this sort are manufactured by producing a disposable cartridge with an open top end; inserting a dry hygroscopic wad inside the disposable cartridge; filling the disposable cartridge with a calibrated amount of liquid substance; and then plugging the open top end of the disposable cartridge with a plug permeable to vapor (i.e. that keeps in the liquid substance, but lets out the vapors produced by heating the liquid substance).

[0004] The most critical stage in the manufacture of disposable cartridges is filling them with the liquid substance. This is an extremely time-consuming job, partly on account of the liquid substance fed into the disposable cartridge having to impregnate the hygroscopic wad (a relatively slow process), and partly on account of the viscous nature of the liquid substance itself (i.e. its high density, which slows down its movement). As a result, currently used disposable cartridge manufacturing methods are extremely slow (i.e. have a low output rate) on account of the time taken to fill the disposable cartridges with the liquid substance.

[0005] Prior art is replete with various applications for filling the cartridges. For example, one such prior art is an apparatus for filling a cartridge with a liquid comprises, a platform on which the cartridge is supported and which can be lifted relative to a stationary filling needle so that this filling needle is moved into the cartridge, a pump feeding liquid through the filling needle into the cartridge, a sensor head from which a beam of light is sent from one side of the cartridge to the other along a path immediately over an upper edge of the cartridge, and a reflector reflecting the light beam back to the sensor head, which is connected to a sensor box which produces a signal stopping the pump and causing the needle to be drawn out of the cartridge when this cartridge is full and the liquid forms a droplet over the opening of the cartridge, which droplet deflects the light beam.

[0006] Another prior art approach was disclosed in United States Application Publication No. US20170233114A1 to Steven Christensen et al. (the Christensen reference). The Christensen reference mentioned another prior art reference such as Patent application serial number WO2015028815 A1 (the WO2015028815 A1 reference). The WO2015028815 A1 reference mentioned the use of a sufficiently large elastomeric component of sufficiently low durometer that it can be pierced simultaneously by two hypodermic style needles whose pierce sites will reseal sufficiently after the needles are removed. This approach assumes an effective seal between the elastomeric component and the filling needle but requires a second, venting needle. One needle is described as being the inlet for liquid into the interior of the cartridge, while the other for the evacuation of the air that is inside the cartridge before filling. This approach allows the cartridges to be fully assembled at the time of fill.

[0007] The Christensen reference mentioned another approach where two needles may alleviate the need to perform a separate capping operation, it also has issues in terms of its ability to fill the cartridge completely and with a precise volume of liquid. Each pierce location is a potential failure site in the final product, and thus using a secondary vent pierce site doubles the chance of a problem with the final product and during the piercing process. In addition, if passive venting is chosen through the second needle, the level of fill must be sufficiently low to prevent liquid ever reaching the second needle, because although air can easily vent through the small diameter needle; liquid in the needle constitutes a significant blockage. Once liquid enters the second needle, air may no longer flow, even if still trapped within the electronic cigarette or cartridge reservoir. If active venting is chosen, there is a similar risk that the vacuum will pull liquid out of the cartridge, causing waste and introducing additional randomness to the final fill volume.

[0008] Finally, as stated in the Christensen reference, in all cases the secondary vent pierce limits how full the container can be filled since the needle has to pierce sufficiently deeply to ensure that it's opening is fully below the surface of the elastomeric component, which inherently means that there is some cavity of air left above it that can never be displaced. This issue persists even if a production method is created that can tolerate the liquid front reaching all the way to the vent location. Once the liquid front reaches the vent location any incremental liquid added to the system either gets forced through the vents or through the porous wick to the outside of the tank.

[0009] Alluding to the above, the Christensen reference, tried to offer a solution that will eliminate any shortcoming, drawbacks, and problems of prior art methods of filling the cartridges. The Christensen reference teaches an apparatuses and systems including tanks to be filled with a vaporizable liquid and methods of filing them. Also described are systems for filling one or a plurality of cartridges having tanks without entrapping air within the tank volume. For example, described herein are methods of filling a tank volume of a cartridge for an electronic cigarette from a bottom or side surface opposite a wick so that the wick remains at least partially dry and can vent air during filling until the tank volume is full.

[0010] A method of filling a tank volume of an electronic cigarette cartridge with a liquid vaporizable material, as disclosed in the Christensen reference, teaches the use of the cartridge that includes a porous wick at a first end of the tank volume. The cartridge is positioned on a surface so that the porous wick is positioned on a top or side surface. A needle is inserted into the tank volume from a bottom or side surface, opposite from the porous wick followed by injecting vaporizable liquid into the tank volume followed by venting air out of the tank through the porous wick until the tank volume is full of the vaporizable liquid and no air is entrapped within the tank volume.

[0011] The method taught by the Christensen reference still has numerous drawbacks and issued. For example, injecting a vaporizable liquid into the tank volume and venting air out of the tank through the porous wick until the tank volume is full of the vaporizable liquid and no air is entrapped within the tank volume is not effective as the speed of removing or forcing hot air out of the tank through the porous wick is not effective.

[0012] Therefore, an opportunity exists for improved assembly and method for filling a disposable electronic-cigarette cartridge with a liquid substance and removing hot air from the cartridge at a high speed.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A vaping device includes several components such as a mouthpiece, a plug, and an enclosure or housing. The mouthpiece includes a top portion defining an opening to inhale the fluids and to receive a needle to fill the housing with the vaporizable fluids. A peripheral wall extends to an open bottom defined by a front edge of the peripheral wall. The mouthpiece defines an outer surface and an inner surface. The peripheral wall includes a pair of male connectors extending through from the inner surface of the peripheral wall close to the front edge. The peripheral wall further extends to a bottom. A pair of extensions extend from the bottom. The plug includes a top portion and a base portion extending from the top portion.

[0014] The base portion includes an outer wall, a pair of inlets to receive the extensions and a pair of side holes. The base portion includes a front area wherein the inlets extend therethrough from the top portion to the front area. A central inlet is defined in the base portion and is located between the inlets. A plurality of grooves extends outwardly from the outer wall. The plug may present a circular cross section and a non-circular cross section without limiting the scope of the present invention. The plug may be formed from a silicone material to be resilient and to allow uninterrupted penetration of the needle therethrough to fill the housing with the fluid.

[0015] The enclosure or housing includes a main portion, extending to a neck formed by a peripheral wall and extending to an open front. The peripheral wall includes a pair of adjacent semi-circular female connectors or grooves separated by a pair of side ribs extending outwardly from the peripheral wall and being parallel an axis of the vaping device. The side ribs are used to be engaged inside side grooves defined in the peripheral wall of the mouthpiece to prevent rotational movement of the mouthpiece relative the housing and around the axis. The female connectors or grooves are used to receive the pair of male connectors extending from the peripheral wall of the mouthpiece. The peripheral wall includes a pair of elongated slots formed therein each adjacent the respective side channel to fluidly engage with the pair of side holes of the plug. The open front of the housing has a shape to complementary receive the base portion of the plug. The housing includes a cavity to receive the fluid in the manned as will be discussed further below.

[0016] Alluding to the above, a method of forming the vaping device includes the step of moving the mouthpiece between a first operational position wherein the needle penetrates the plug along the axis to extend into the housing and followed by the step of injecting the fluid into the housing whereby the extensions of the mouthpiece are located above the pair of inlets forming a channel defined between the pair of inlets and the central opening to allow heat, i.e. hot air, to escape therethrough and out of the central opening as the fluid escapes the needle to fill in said housing.

[0017] The method further includes a step of placing or positioning the male connector in one of the semi-circular female connectors and followed a second operational position as the needle is retracted from the plug and away from the mouthpiece as the extensions of the mouthpiece are inserted into the pair of inlets to seal the channel defined between the pair of inlets and the central opening as the male connector is positioned in another of the semi-circular female connectors. The method further includes the step of seal and snapping the mouthpiece with the housing to prevent the escape of the fluid from the vaping device during transportation.

[0018] The objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from inspection of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which an embodiment of the present invention is described and illustrated.

[0019] The exact manner in which the foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved in practice will become more clearly apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention described in detail in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, where in like reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the vaping device in a first operational mode before the fluid is injected into the vaping device;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the vaping device in a second operational mode before the fluid is injected into the vaping device;

[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vaping device taken from a top;

[0024] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the vaping device taken from a bottom;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the vaping device in a first operational mode before the fluid is injected into the vaping device;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the vaping device in a second operational mode before the fluid is injected into the vaping device;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the vaping device in a first operational mode; and

[0028] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the vaping device in a second operational mode.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, a vaping device is generally shown at 10 in FIGS. 1 through 8. The words “inner”, “inwardly” and “outer”, “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or a geometric center of an element being described, the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description. Additionally, as used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “module” is intended to mean one or more modules or a combination of modules. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “based on” includes based at least in part on. Thus, a feature that is described as based on some cause, can be based only on that cause, or based on that cause and on one or more other causes.

[0030] It will be apparent that multiple embodiments of this disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present embodiments. The following description of embodiments includes references to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural, logical and operational changes can be made without departing from the scope of what is claimed. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0031] Alluding to the above, for purposes of this patent document, the terms “or” and “and” shall mean “and / or” unless stated otherwise or clearly intended otherwise by the context of their use. The term “a” shall mean “one or more” unless stated otherwise or where the use of “one or more” is clearly inappropriate. The terms “comprise,”“comprising,”“include,” and “including” are interchangeable and not intended to be limiting. For example, the term “including” shall be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.”

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 8, a vaping device, generally shown at 10, includes several components such as a mouthpiece, generally indicated at 12, a plug, generally indicated at 14, and an enclosure or housing, generally indicated at 16. The housing 16 is connected to a main housing of an entire electronic vaping device or assembly 17. All functional elements of the assembly 17, such as hardware and software, are common and may vary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0033] The mouthpiece 12 includes a top portion 18 defining an opening 20 to inhale the fluids F and to receive a needle 22 to fill the housing 16 with the fluids F to be discussed in detail further below. A peripheral wall 24 extends to an open bottom defined by a front edge 26 of the peripheral wall 24. The mouthpiece 12 defined an outer surface 28 and an inner surface 30. The peripheral wall 26 includes a pair of male connectors 32 and 34 extending through from the inner surface 30 of the peripheral wall 24 close to the front edge 26. The peripheral wall 24 further extends to a bottom 38.

[0034] Alluding to the above, a pair of extensions 40, 42 extend from the bottom 38. The mouthpiece 12 may present a circular cross section and a non-circular cross section. The extensions 40, 42 may have a circular cross section and a non-circular cross section. The mouthpiece 12 may be formed from an organic material and a non-organic material. The materials, cross sections, and shapes disclosed herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0035] Referring now to the plug 14, it includes a top portion 50 and a base portion 52 extending from the top portion 50. The base portion 52 includes an outer wall 51, a pair of inlets 54, 56 to receive the extensions 40, 42, respectively. Each inlet 54, 56 includes an inclined front surface 57 and inner ribs 59 extending from the inner surface of each inlet 54, 59 to closely engage the extensions 40, 42 inserted into each inlet 54, 56.

[0036] Alluding to the above, a pair of side holes 60, 62 are defined in the top portion 50 of the plug 14. The base portion 52 includes a front area 64, wherein the inlets 54, 56 extends therethrough from the top portion 50 to the front area 64. A central inlet 70 is defined in the base portion 52 and located between the inlets 54, 56.

[0037] A plurality of grooves 72 and lips 74 extend outwardly from the outer wall 51. The plug 14 may present a circular cross section and a non-circular cross section. The plug 14 may be formed from a silicone material to be resilient and to allow uninterrupted penetration of a needle therethrough to fill the housing 16 with the fluid F, which can be an air, a gas, any sorts of liquids and oil without limiting the scope of the present invention. It can also be formed from an organic material and a non-organic material. The materials, cross sections, and shapes disclosed herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0038] The enclosure or housing 16 include a main portion, generally indicated at 80, extending to a neck 80 formed by a peripheral wall 84 and extending to an open front 86. The peripheral wall 84 includes a pair of adjacent semi-circular female connectors or grooves 90, 92 separated by a pair of side ribs 94, 96 extending from the peripheral wall 84 and being parallel an axis A. The side ribs 94, 96 are used to be engaged inside side grooves 98, 99 defined in the peripheral wall 24 of the mouthpiece 12 to prevent rotational movement of the mouthpiece 12 relative the housing 16 and around the axis A.

[0039] The female connectors or grooves 90, 92 are used to receive the pair of male connectors 32 and 34 extending from the peripheral wall 26 of the mouthpiece 12. The peripheral wall 84 includes a pair of elongated slots 100, 102 formed therein each adjacent the respective side channel 94, 96 to fluidly engage with the pair of side holes 60, 62 of the plug 14. The open front 86 of the housing has a shape to complementary receive the base portion 52 of the plug 14. The housing 16 includes a cavity 104 to receive the fluid F in the manned as will be discussed further below.

[0040] Alluding to the above, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a method of forming the vaping device 10 includes the step of moving the mouthpiece 12 between a first operational position, in a direction as shown at X1 in FIG. 7, wherein the needle 22 penetrates the plug 14 along the axis A to extend into the housing 16 and followed by the step of injecting the fluid F into the housing 14 whereby the extensions 40, 42 of the mouthpiece 12 are located above the pair of inlets 54, 56 forming a channel defined between the pair of inlets 54, 56 and the central opening 20 to allow heat, i.e. hot air or hot gas or heat, to escape therethrough, as shown by broken arrows in FIG. 7, and out of the central opening 20 as the fluid F escapes the needle 22 to fill in cavity 104 of the housing 16.

[0041] The method further includes a step of placing or positioning the male connector 32 in one of the semi-circular female connectors 90 and followed a second operational position as the needle 22 is retracted from the plug 14 and away from the mouthpiece 12, shown by an arrow at Y in FIG. 8, as the extensions 40, 42 of the mouthpiece 12 are inserted into the pair of inlets 54, 56 to seal the channel defined between the pair of inlets 54, 56 and the central opening 20 as the male connector 90 is positioned in another of the semi-circular female connectors 92. The method further includes the step of sealing and snapping the mouthpiece 12 with the housing 16, as shown by an arrow at X2 in FIG. 8, to prevent the escape of the fluid F from the vaping device 10 during transportation.

[0042] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029]Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, a vaping device is generally shown at 10 in FIGS. 1 through 8. The words “inner”, “inwardly” and “outer”, “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or a geometric center of an element being described, the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description. Additionally, as used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “module” is intended to mean one or more modules or a combination of modules. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “based on” includes based at least in part on. Thus, a feature that is described as based on some cause, can be based only on that cause, or based on that cause and on one or more other causes.

[0030]It will be apparent that multiple embodiments of this disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other ins...

Claims

1. A vaping device presenting an axis to receive a needle to fill in said vaping device with a fluid, said vaping device comprising;a mouthpiece defining a central opening and a peripheral wall presenting an inner surface including at least one male connector extending from said inner surface and a pair of extensions of said mouthpiece;a housing defining a neck portion formed by a peripheral wall and extending to an open front, said peripheral wall including a pair of adjacent semi-circular female connectors;a plug positioned between said housing and said mouthpiece, said plug presenting a top portion and a base portion extending from said top portion into said neck portion of said housing, said plug including a pair of inlets to receive said extensions of said mouthpiece; anda mechanical connection defined between said mouthpiece and said housing, wherein said mouthpiece is moved between a first operational position wherein the needle penetrates said plug along the axis to extend into said housing and inject the fluid into said housing whereby said extensions of said mouthpiece are located above said pair of inlets to allow a channel defined between said pair of inlets and said central opening to allow fluid to escape therethrough and out of said central opening as the fluid escapes the needle to fill in said housing as said at least one male connector is positioned in one of said semi-circular female connectors and a second operational position as the needle is retracted from said plug and away from said mouthpiece as said extensions of said mouthpiece are inserted into said pair of inlets to seal the channel defined between said pair of inlets and said central opening as said at least one male connector is positioned in another of said semi-circular female connectors to seal and snap said mouthpiece with said housing to prevent escape of the fluid from said vaping device.

2. The vaping device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said peripheral wall extends to an open bottom defined by a front edge of said peripheral wall, said peripheral wall extending to a bottom with said pair of extensions extending from said bottom.

3. The vaping device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each inlet includes an inclined front surface and inner ribs extending from said inner surface of each of said inlets.

4. The vaping device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base portion includes a front area, wherein said inlets extends therethrough from said top portion to said front area and a central inlet defined in said base portion and located between said inlets.

5. The vaping device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base portion includes grooves and lips extending outwardly from an outer wall of said base portion.

6. The vaping device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing includes said pair of adjacent semi-circular female connectors and separated by a pair of side ribs extending from said peripheral wall of said housing wherein side ribs are engaged inside side grooves defined in said peripheral wall of said mouthpiece to prevent rotational movement of said mouthpiece relative said housing and around the axis A.

7. A method of filling a vaping device presenting a central axis by a needle to fill in the vaping device with a vaporized fluid, said method comprising the steps of;forming a mouthpiece defining a central opening and a peripheral wall presenting an inner surface including at least one male connector extending from the inner surface and a pair of extensions of the mouthpiece;positioning a housing defining a neck portion formed by a peripheral wall and extending to an open front wherein the peripheral wall includes a pair of adjacent semi-circular female connectors;placing a plug between the housing and the mouthpiece, wherein the plug includes a top portion and a base portion extending from the top portion into the neck portion of the housing,positioning the plug having a pair of inlets to receive the extensions of the mouthpiece;forming a mechanical connection defined between the mouthpiece and the housing by moving the mouthpiece to the hosing wherein the needle penetrates the plug along the axis to extend into the housing;injecting the fluid into the housing as the extensions of the mouthpiece are located above the pair of inlets to allow a channel defined between the pair of inlets and the central opening to allow fluid to escape therethrough and out of the central opening as the fluid escapes the needle to fill in the housing;moving the at least one male connector in one of the semi-circular female connectors;retracting the needle away from the plug and away from the mouthpiece as the extensions of the mouthpiece are inserted into the pair of inlets to seal the channel defined between the pair of inlets and the central opening; andmoving at least one male connector in another of the semi-circular female connectors to snap the mouthpiece with the housing to prevent escape of the fluid from the vaping device.

8. A method of filling a vaping device presenting an axis by a needle to fill in the vaping device with a vaporized fluid, said method comprising the steps of;forming a mouthpiece defining a central opening and at least one male connector and a pair of extensions of the mouthpiece;positioning a housing including a pair of female connectors;placing a plug between the housing and the mouthpiece;forming a mechanical connection defined between the mouthpiece and the housing by moving the mouthpiece to the hosing wherein the needle penetrates the plug along the axis to extend into the housing;injecting the fluid into the housing as the extensions of the mouthpiece are located above the plug to allow a channel defined between the plug and the central opening to allow heat to escape therethrough and out of the central opening as the fluid escapes the needle to fill in the housing;moving the at least one male connector in one of the female connectors;retracting the needle away from the plug and away from the mouthpiece as the extensions are inserted into the plug to seal the channel defined between the plug and the central opening; andmoving at least one male connector in another of the female connectors to snap the mouthpiece with the housing to prevent escape of the fluid from the vaping device.

Images