Vaping device

Abstract

A vaping device (10) has at least one filter (42, 46, 66) and / or air treatment means (50, 62, 70) in an intake air channel of the device (10) wherein at least one filter (42, 46, 66) or air treatment means (50, 62, 70) has at least one opening (80) accommodating at least one electrode (38) and / or wire.

Description

[0001] Vaping Device

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a vaping device .

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Vaping devices , which can also be called inhalation or aerosol generating devices , are continuously replacing traditional cigarettes and essentially produce an aerosol or vapor to be inhaled by the user . In this context , air is drawn into the device and essentially delivers the vapor to the user . Since such devices are frequently used in an environment , in which the air is polluted, and / or users may suf fer from allergies , there is a need for filtering the air taken in .

[0006] In this context , for example , WO 2013076696 Al is related to filters in an air intake channel of a vaping device .

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Nevertheless , there remains a need for a vaping device which is improved with regard to the quality, in particular, cleanness of air drawn into the device .

[0009] This obj ect is solved by means of the vaping device described in claim 1 . Accordingly, the vaping device has at least one filter and / or air treatment means in an intake air channel , and at least one filter or a treatment means has at least one opening accommodating at least one electrode and / or wire . This essentially enables the air to be cleaned and / or treated more thoroughly, since filter and / or treatment means requiring electric power can be employed . This is achieved by the at least one opening accommodating at least one electrode and / or wire in order to allow electric power to be delivered to a particular filter or air treatment means , or through such a means to one or more adj acent filter or air treatment means .

[0010] The invention is based on the idea of a two or more state filtration for gradually cleaning the air in combination with at least one filter or air treatment means being formed so as to allow the delivery of electric power as described above . Clean air adds to the user benefit , since it is not only healthier, but the produced aerosol or vapor is also tastier . Thus , generally, the sensory perception of the user is improved .

[0011] Removing particles from the air drawn in will also reduce pollution of the device itsel f . In the device described herein, vapor can be produced from a liquid, but the device can also be adapted to heat a consumable , such as a stick, which may for example contain tobacco , in order to produce an aerosol therefrom .

[0012] Speci fic, preferred embodiments of the vaping device are described in the further claims .

[0013] In particular, as described in claim 2 , at least one of a foam filter, a carbon filter and a HEPA- filter can be employed and provide gradually finer filtering . The foam can for example be a polyurethane foam, for example with interlocking cells , and can be adapted to capture large dust and / or pollen particles. The carbon filter typically removes volatile organic compounds, dust, smoke, mites and odours. The filter last-mentioned above can be a HEPA-filter and can be made from plastic fibers, such as polypropylene fiber or borosilicate glass fibers bound closely together. An acrylic binder may additionally be used to capture certain pollutants. Generally, as can be taken from claim 2, at least one of plural filters different with regard to the size of the particles to be removed is present. When two or more filters are present, the size of the particles to be removed gradually decreases in the downstream direction. They thus form a multi-stage filtration system, in which the filters become gradually finer so as to remove particles, which are continuously smaller in the air flow direction. In this context, the described filters can be formed with the at least one opening for at least one electrode and / or wire in order to allow the delivery of electric power to air treatment means as described in claim 3.

[0014] In particular, the air treatment means may be at least one of a sanitizer having at least one UV light source, an ionizer and a means for adding a fragrance to the air.

[0015] The sanitizer essentially serves to disinfect the air. The UV light will kill bacteria, viruses, mould spores and germs. The UV light can be emitted by one or more LEDs, with, for example, 5V, and these can be adapted to emit UV-A, UV-B and / or UV-C light having the above effect. In particular, the UV light wavelength can advantageously be between 100 and 400 nm and they may only be initiated when a puff is detected to reduce battery consumption.

[0016] The ionizer is essentially adapted to remove hazardous substances, such as smoke, dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, volatile organic compounds, mould spores, bacteria and other chemical toxins. The air ionizer will typically remove volatile organic compounds, fine dust, viruses and chemical toxins , such as cigarette smoke . This can be particularly beneficial for users , when regular cigarette smokers are around, and the user of the vaping device wants to avoid inhaling the cigarette smoke . The ioni zer can apply a relatively high voltage , such as 60 V, which will cause electrons to detach from discharge rods and adhere to molecules of nitrogen and oxygen in the air, which forms negative ions , which are then attracted to the static charge in the air thus neutrali zing it . These ions also attract certain types of molecules like fine dust and chemical toxins . These cluster around the ion increasing its weight and allowing it to be removed or captured . This can particularly be performed by a filter adapted to remove particles with a diameter of 2 . 5 microns to 0 . 2 mm, which can be immediately downstream of the ioni zer .

[0017] Finally, means for adding a fragrance to the air may be adapted to refresh the air and / or add a fresh odour so as to further increase the air quality . Since the described air treatment means typically require electric energy, these can be advantageously employed in the vaping device described herein, in which at least one filter or air treatment means has at least one opening accommodating at least one electrode and / or wire . The fragrance can for example be added to the foam by dripping drops of fragrance into the heater reservoir . The foam of the means for adding a fragrance to the air can for example be made of polyurethane .

[0018] As regards an advantageous number and position of air intake openings , it is currently preferred to have two or more of such openings , in particular along a periphery of the device . The device can for example be cylindrical , and the filter and / or air treatment means can be provided in a module constituting a portion of the cylindrical device , so that the provision of two or more air intake openings along a periphery of the device is expected to be beneficial with regard to the delivery of air to the first , most upstream filter or air treatment means . It is noted that the draw resistance is the lower, the more intake openings are provided .

[0019] Since a heater of the device will also require electric power, and / or a printed circuit board ( PCB ) is usually present in the device , and since at least one filter and / or air treatment means has an opening for an electrode or a wire , it is expected to provide an advantageous position of at least one filter and / or air treatment means adj acent a heater or a PCB of the device .

[0020] It is preferred for the above-mentioned carbon filter, that this has plural radial blades . This design changes the direction of the air drawn in, which helps to clean the air and to capture small particles on the blades . At the same time , the blades do not cause a signi ficantly increased draw resistance . In particular, the filter can be designed such that the air needs to pass through only one blade and then flows around the next plate . Activated carbon dust can be heat applied to the blades , which can be made of a textile , in order to provide an absorption material for capturing particles . The carbon absorption material can be made from raw organic materials , such as coconut shells , which adds to sustainability of the filter . A textile core of the carbon filter can be compressed from textile pieces in a steam press .

[0021] As regards the means for adding a fragrance to the air, it will provide advantages when this means comprises at least one soaked foam . In particular, when this means is placed near the heater, evaporation of the fragrance can be ef fected by the heater of the device , and there is no need for an additional heater adapted to heat the foam containing a fragrance in order to evaporate same . In particular, the means for adding a fragrance can be placed immediately adj acent the heater of the device . As already indicated above , any filters and air treatment means can be integrated in a filter module , which can be replaceable as a whole . This allows , in particular when the device is used very often and / or in heavily polluted areas , to replace the filter module for a new one in order to improve the air quality used for inhalation .

[0022] In this context , high air quality and reliable removal of any particles and / or substances can be improved, when at least one filter or air treatment means is sealed airtight with regard to a housing of the device .

[0023] As already indicated above , the device described herein typically has at least one heater, which can be replaceable . This can advantageously be provided so as to cooperate with air treatment means in order to provide the beneficial ef fects on the air drawn in .

[0024] At least one air intake opening can be provided in a semitransparent housing ring . This can for example allow the user to at least to some extent view the first , most upstream filtering stage in order to feel comfortable about the quality of air drawn in . Moreover, in particular when the filter module is replaceable as a whole , the described housing ring, which typically distinguishes from other portions of the housing, being made of metal or intransparent plastic, allows to identi fy the filter module and facilitate replacement thereof .

[0025] Since , for example for replacement of the filter module , the housing will need to be taken apart , this can advantageously be reali zed by at least two housing parts , which are connectable by means of a thread .

[0026] As already indicated, at least one housing part of the device can be made of metal and / or a mouthpiece can be made of plastic in order to provide a pleasant mouth feel to the user .

[0027] Handling of the device will also be felt to be pleasant , when the device essentially has a circular cross-section and preferably a cylindrical appearance as a whole .

[0028] Since air treatment means typically require the supply of electric energy, the invention particularly shows its advantages , when at least one air treatment means is arranged between two filters . In this case , for example , one or more filters provided between an air treatment means and a power supply, such as a battery, can advantageously be provided with an opening for accommodating at least one electrode and / or wire . Moreover, when plural air treatment means are provided, those closer to a power supply than an air treatment means most remote from the power supply can in the same manner be provided with such an opening .

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the vaping device will be described with reference to the drawings , in which

[0031] Fig . 1 shows a perspective view of the device ,

[0032] Fig . 2 shows a detail thereof ,

[0033] Fig . 3 shows the interior thereof ,

[0034] Fig . 4 shows a first exploded view thereof ,

[0035] Fig . 5 shows a further detail thereof ,

[0036] Fig . 6 shows the filter module thereof with the airflows , and to 13 show further exploded views of several parts of the filter module .

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0038] As can be taken from figure 1 , the exemplary embodiment of a vaping device 10 is generally cylindrical in shape with, in the embodiment shown, two housing parts 12 , 14 , for example made of metal , and a mouthpiece 16 , for example made of plastic . The device can, be elongate and, apart from the end section of the mouthpiece 16 , generally cylindrical in shape , with the mouthpiece having a tapering section 18 forming a transition to a narrow end 20 adapted to be contacted by the lips of a user, so as to draw vapor from the device 10 .

[0039] As can be taken from the detail shown in figure 2 , a semitransparent , e . g . acrylic ring 22 is present between the housing parts 12 and 14 and has , in the embodiment shown, openings 24 , e . g . four to eight in number, along the periphery thereof so as to allow air to be drawn into the device 10 .

[0040] As can be taken from figure 3 , the device 10 has , in its interior, a filter module 26 as described in more detail below and essentially disposed in the middle along the longitudinal direction of the device 10 extending from the bottom to the top in figure 3 .

[0041] In order to provide a storage for electric energy, a battery 28 , with, for example , 600 mAh, is present towards the distal end of the device and can be charged by means of a USB-C socket 30 . In the embodiment shown, a printed circuit board PCB 32 is provided between the battery 28 and the filter module 26 , and towards the proximal , mouthpiece end of the device , a heater 34 is provided adj acent the filter module 26 so as to allow heating of a pod 36 containing a liquid to be vapori zed .

[0042] As indicated in figure 4 , the housing part 12 can be separated from the rest of the device 10 , in order to remove the filter module 26 from the device 10 and possibly replace same . In the embodiment shown, housing part 14 can be threaded on the semi-transparent ring 22 , shown in more detail in figure 5 , and this ring 22 can be threaded on housing part 12 . In particular, the ring 22 can have a portion 72 with reduced diameter and an outer thread, which can be threaded on an interior thread of housing part 12 .

[0043] Figure 6 essentially shows the assembled state of the filter module 26 and the air paths A as described in more detail hereinafter with reference to figure 7 .

[0044] As can be taken from the perspective exploded view of the filter module 26 shown in figure 7 , the PCB 32 is , like a number of other components of the filter module 26 and as derivable from figures 7 to 13 , essentially circular diskshaped and has two electrodes 38 for connection with certain components detailed further below .

[0045] In the embodiment shown, electrodes 38 extend through an opening 80 of a partition 40 , which essentially serves to support a foam filter 42 . The semi-transparent ring 22 mentioned above extends around the foam filter 42 , so that the air drawn in through the openings 24 first flows through the foam filter 42 .

[0046] As also indicated in figure 6 , via openings 44 of a carbon filter support 82 , the air will flow through a carbon filter 46 having plural blades 48 , and from there to a saniti zer 50 . The saniti zer 50 has , in the embodiment shown, plural , e . g . eight UV light sources 52 attached to a central ring 54 and surrounded by a UV reflective ring 56 for example made of aluminium, which increases the effectiveness of air cleaning. The central ring 54 has openings 80 accommodating cables delivering electric energy to the UV LEDs 52.

[0047] Again, further downstream, an ionizer support 58 is provided and has a central ring 60 accommodated in a central hole of the ionizer 62 as such. The ionizer 62 has, in the embodiment shown two rings of electrostatic discharge rods connected to the electrodes 38.

[0048] Further downstream, a HEPA filter support 64 is provided with a structure similar to the ionizer support 58. In particular, both of these supports 58, 64 have openings 44 for allowing the air to pass to the next filtering / treatment stage. The HEPA filter is indicated as 66 and adjacent an air refresher support 68 supporting an air refresher 70 described in more detail below, also serving to capture any leakage from the pod 36 (see figure 3) .

[0049] In summary, in the embodiment shown, the foam filter 42, the carbon filter 46 and the HEPA filter 66 form a multi-stage filtration system, in which the filters become gradually finer so as to remove particles, which are continuously smaller along the air flow direction. In particular, carbon filter 42 can be adapted to remove particles with a diameter of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, such as large dust or pollen particles, the carbon filter 46 can be adapted to remove particles with a diameter of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm, such as volatile organic compounds, dust, smoke, mites and odours, and the HEPA-filter 66 can be adapted to remove particles with a diameter of 0.3 microns to 0.2 mm, such as microdust, allergens, chemical odour and small types of pollen.

[0050] Figure 8 shows the foam filter 42 and its surroundings in more detail. In particular, the semi-transparent ring 22 is provided around the filter 42, and the filter 42 has a central opening 80 accommodating an inner ring 74 of the partition 40 . The carbon filter support 82 is essentially provided on top of the foam filter 42 in the orientation according to the figures .

[0051] As can be taken from figure 9 , the carbon filter support 82 supports the carbon filter 46 with its plural blades 48 , which are angled with regard to a longitudinal direction extending in the up and down direction in the figures . The saniti zer support 76 is provided on top of the carbon filter and has openings 44 allowing the air to pass to the saniti zer shown in more detail in figure 10 . Both supports 44 and 76 have a central opening 80 for accommodating the electrodes 38 .

[0052] As can be seen in figure 10 , the electrodes 38 of the PCB 32 extend through the above-described foam 42 and carbon filter 46 so as to deliver electric energy to the UV light sources 52 of the saniti zer . Thus , in accordance with the invention, the foam 42 and carbon filter 46 have openings 80 for accommodating the electrodes 38 . Details of the saniti zer have been described above with reference to figure 7 , and on top of the saniti zer there is the ioni zer support 58 .

[0053] As can be taken from figure 11 , the electrodes 38 extend from the PCB 32 all the way to the ioni zer 62 and the heater 34 , so as to also deliver electric energy to the ioni zer 62 and the heater 34 . Correspondingly, also the ioni zer support 58 has a central opening 80 accommodating the electrodes 38 . On top of the ioni zer 62 , the HEPA filter support 64 is provided and supports the HEPA filter 66 as shown in figure 12 . As can be seen in this figure , the HEPA filter 66 has plural portions extending from a central ring, which have a narrow triangular footprint , which helps to reduce the draw resistance and at the same time collects any particles in particular in the center .

[0054] A final partition 68 supporting the air refresher is provided on top of the HEPA filter 66 and again shown in figure 13 . In particular, a foam 78 containing a fragrance is provided and allows a fragrance to be added to the air which is delivered through air intake holes 44 provided in the refresher support 68 . Finally, a heater tray 82 is provided on top of the foam 78 and is essentially adapted to accommodate the heater part 34 of the device . A fragrance can be applied to the foam 78 by dripping drops of fragrance into the heater' s reservoir . Since the air intake holes 44 are elevated from the partition 68 , further .

[0055] As indicated by 84 , several partitions and supports have a circular seal at a certain position along the axial extension thereof for airtight sealing with the interior of the housing part 14 .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vaping device (10) having at least one filter (42, 46, 66) and / or air treatment means (50, 62, 70) in an intake air channel of the device (10) wherein at least one filter (42, 46, 66) or air treatment means (50, 62, 70) has at least one opening (80) accommodating at least one electrode (38) and / or wire .

2. The vaping device (10) of claim 1, characterized in that the filter (42, 46, 66) is at least one of a filter (42) adapted to remove particles with a diameter of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, such as a foam filter (42) , a filter (46) adapted to remove particles with a diameter of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm, such as a a carbon filter (46) and a filter (66) adapted to remove particles with a diameter of 0.3 microns to 0.2 mm, such as a High-Efficiency Particulate Air / Arrestance (HEPA) -filter (66) , and two or three of these filters (42, 46, 66) are preferably arranged in the above order along the airflow direction .

3. The vaping device (10) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air treatment means (50, 62, 70) is at least one of a sanitizer (50) having at least one UV light source (52) , an ionizer (62) and a means (70) for adding a fragrance to the air .

4. The vaping device (10) of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has two or more air intake openings (24) along a periphery of the device (10) .

5. The vaping device (10) of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one filter (42) and / or air treatment means (70) is adjacent a heater (34) or a PCB (32) of the device (10) .

6. The vaping device (10) of claim 2, characterized in that the carbon filter (46) has plural radial blades (48) .

7. The vaping device (10) of claim 3, characterized in that the means (70) for adding a fragrance to the air comprises at least one soaked foam (78) .

8. A vaping device (10) of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a module (26) containing any filters (42, 46, 66) and air treatment means (50, 62, 70) is replaceable .

9. The vaping device (10) of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one filter (42, 46, 66) or air treatment means (50, 62, 70) is sealed airtight with regard to a housing (14) of the device (10) .

10. The vaping device (10) of one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the device (10) has at least one heater(34) .

11. The vaping device (10) of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one air intake opening (24) is formed in a semi-transparent housing ring (22) .

12. The vaping device (10) of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has at least two housing parts (12, 14) , which are connectable by means of a thread .

13. The vaping device (10) of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one housing part (12, 14) of the device (10) is made of metal and / or a mouthpiece (16) is made of plastic.

14. The vaping device (10) of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has an essentially circular cross section.

15. The vaping device (10) of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one air treatment means (50, 62) is arranged between two filters (46, 66) .

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